Unity 2024- Child and youth care conferencE, DUBlin, Ireland

As our shared world continues to emerge from the covid pandemic, so to does deeply concerning research on the mental health and wellness of young people around the world. Ethical and intentional partnerships with animals offer a unique and promising modality in relational practice. Fascinatingly, the significance of the human-animal relationship is rapidly evolving and for many young people replacing the significance of human – human relationships. This session will demonstrate how prioritizing the concepts of mutual benefit, choice and consent with animals translates to practitioners working with young people as well as the young people themselves in building strength-based resilience and skill in growing relationships with others.

This session will offer an accessible blend of recent neuroscience in working with animals connected to the experiential and deeply sensorial elements of this work. Case studies will be highlighted that emphasize the power of connection, common humanity and a hopeful orientation in a post covid world.

Key Messages and Learning Outcomes

• Identify the importance of the human-animal relationship as foundational to relational practice with children, youth and teens

• Identify concrete examples of how animals can build the capacity and resilience of young people and those who work with them

• Identify how animals can promote mental, physical, emotional and psychological wellness via case examples, brain states and current research.

Kirsten Hargreaves is an experienced animal assisted therapist