June 17, 2008

On the Wonder of Cats and Dogs …

Occasionally, it takes a little time to get used to the fact that technology today is so advanced that with the click of a few keys on the computer you can actually watch a movie emailed from half way around the world! In one of this morning’s emails was a note from Jordan Feder who works with Avshalom Beni, the dynamic founder and force behind HAMA Israel. HAMA is the acronym for humans and animals in mutual assistance, a great definition of the work carried out by Avshalom and his human and animal staff. Animal assisted therapy is complementary therapy used in many different medical and psychological settings. We all know about more traditional forms of AAT; what makes HAMA so special is that the animals Avshalom uses, his co-therapists, so to speak, are often victims of abuse and their becoming part of a therapeutic team to help others is particularly significant.

I have met many of Avshalom’s "staff" – there is Frankie, affectionately known as Frankie-the-crocodile-dog, due to the disfiguring trauma his jaw suffered at the hands of an abuser. Frankie does looks remarkably like a crocodile, albeit one who is gentle and kind! Avshalom’s first therapy animal was Doobie…a gentle Canaan breed who Avshalom rescued after the dog had been abused by a gang. Despite losing one of his front legs to the abuse and enduring severe trauma to other parts of his body, Doobie went on to live a noble and meaningful life as one of Avshalom’s staff. (sadly, Doobie succumbed to heart disease a few years ago but not before helping so many others regain their strength and self-respect.) Cat-lovers do not despair! Avshalom also uses beautiful ragdoll cats in his work.

Getting back to Jordan’s email and its contents — Jordan and his brother, a film professional, produced a short video outlining the great work being done by HAMA, and the link to that film was included in the email. Take a look – it really does give you a good sense of the fine work carried out by HAMA. (and, yes…that big black dog in the intro? That’s LaBelle, the Newfie – she really is that big and she can single-handedly bathe you if she takes a liking to you!)

Here’s the link and make sure to download it in high resolution:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kls3-EmTXro.

If you want to learn more about HAMA, take a look at their about-to-be completed web site, http://www.hama-israel.org.il.