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The Impact of Animals and Nature for Children and Youth with Trauma Histories: Towards A Neurodevelopmental Theory

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Animals in Social Work

Part of the book series: The Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series ((PMAES))

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Abstract

Sasha,1 a 15-year-old female, diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and reactive attachment disorder (RAD), was referred to our service because she ‘wasn’t engaging in therapy’. Her social worker said that she had been in and out of foster and group care all her life, and she had just lost her foster care placement. The social work agency had not been able to find a therapy to help her, and she continuously lost her living arrangements due to her addictions, stealing, AWOLing and aggressive behaviours. She loved animals, and her social worker wanted to know if we could help.

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© 2014 Eileen Bona and Gail Courtnage

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Bona, E., Courtnage, G. (2014). The Impact of Animals and Nature for Children and Youth with Trauma Histories: Towards A Neurodevelopmental Theory. In: Ryan, T. (eds) Animals in Social Work. The Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137372291_7

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