The Healing Power of Human–Canine Bonds

Janiszewski also gave a guest appearance on a local radio show, sharing information about animal-assisted interventions and how they differ in the United States and Uganda. “It was interesting because the relationships between humans and animals is perceived differently [in Uganda],” where dogs often live outside and are used for guarding, she says.

Janiszewski explains that through the program, dogs in need of homes are rehabilitated by the Comfort Dogs team, temperament tested and spayed or neutered. The dogs are then matched with war trauma survivors, who make a lifetime commitment to their dogs and participate in a weekly training program. Once they complete the program, the dog–guardian teams visit villages and schools to educate about the importance of being kind to animals, teach positive reinforcement training techniques and provide testimony about the healing power of human–canine bonds.

“The amazing thing about this program is it mutually benefits the people and also the dogs,” says Janiszewski, who earned a Global Social Work Certificate alongside her MSW with a mental health specialization. “Another amazing piece is a lot of people I met had graduated from the program but stayed involved, helping at vaccine clinics, visiting schools and talking to youth, and fostering dogs. [The program] has made a change — they’ve had really good results reducing the effects of PTSD, and people have gotten so much out of it they stay on to help others.”

Janiszewski says her international courses and internship experiences in Uganda, Kenya and Bosnia helped her to explore similarities and differences in social work practice. “I was so inspired by the creativity and commitment to community at the BIG FIX,” says Janiszewski, who plans to pursue licensure and do clinical work in a community setting, addressing issues such as trauma and the environment. “I hope I can incorporate a freshness to my practice and stay connected to people with broad perspectives — being continually challenged to keep my practice relevant and growing.”