“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”
ANATOLE FRANCE
A large and conclusive body of research shows that the most important factor in a child’s emotional health, wellness and development is a positive attachment with a caretaking adult. That relationship within which the child knows beyond a doubt that they are loved and they matter for who they are, not for what they do. Including – especially – when they mess up. And this does not just apply to children, isn’t it what we all need most in life?
Sometimes, especially when relationships with people have been a struggle, an animal can provide that relationship; that sense of feeling loved, that we matter, that we are known. At Healing Hooves we aim to bridge the relationships people form with our animals to healthy relationships with people, but often the relationship with the right animal is the first step.
What abut you? How has the love of an animal helped you?