Mary Jo and Toby photo courtesy of The Sydney Morning Herald
Mary Jo McVeigh, a counselor and child trauma expert in Sydney. Australia has worked with abused children for over 25 years. Several years ago a chance encounter between her dog and a child she was working with showed her a new approach to therapy. Canine therapy to help the children open up and begin to heal. The children can bond with the dog in cases where they cannot connect with adults or other children. There is an instant connection and the child is less agitated and stressed.
McVeigh is the founding principal of Cara House, which helps children dealing with trauma. In addition to traditional counselling, the clinic offers special sessions with a loveable little dog named Toby. Toby is the head dog at Cara House and has been helping trauma survivors for five years. He is believed to be the first dog in Sydney to be used to help treat abuse victims. It all came about when she was walking Toby and had to stop by work for something. One of her patients who she was having a difficult time getting to open up was there and came over to say hello to Toby. Toby of course didn’t mind and an instant connection was made.
Since that day Toby has become a permanent fixture at Cara House helping children of abuse.
