ABSTRACT
Being with animals has long been regarded as good for our well-being. Horsemen and -women across the globe will tell you that nothing quite clears the mind like a good canter in a favourite lane. Bringing animals into care homes, as we do frequently, gives a palpable sense of joy. It makes space for reminiscence and brings containment to those who don’t experience much warmth and skin-to-skin contact. In the aftermath of 9/11, when many of the trauma specialists on site had failed, it was the rescue dogs that succeeded in helping the intervention teams to release some of the psychological burden they were shouldering. Animals help us connect with our emotions, and with the world around us, in powerful ways.
