(District Attorney employee interacts with therapy animal during pet encounter therapy sessions at Helen Woodward Animal Center.)
Rancho Santa Fe, CA (April 9, 2024) – Last week, Helen Woodward Animal Center kicked off a very special partnership – hosting members of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for a series of important pet encounter therapy sessions. The visit was the first of several planned this year and signifies a new collaboration between the organizations.
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a valued partner at One Safe Place: the North County Family Justice Center, a project led by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office that supports anyone who has experienced family violence, elder abuse, child abuse, hate crimes, human trafficking, or other crimes. The District Attorney’s Office provides an intentional wellness plan for its employees who directly assist clients dealing with traumatic experiences and highly abusive situations. High-stress roles that involve high volume caseloads and sensitive subject matter can leave a lasting effect on even the toughest individuals. Helen Woodward Animal Center has previously created lasting benefits for members of law enforcement and the military who have experienced the some of the heaviest events that a human can endure.
“Our team works hard every day pursuing equal and fair justice for all, serving as a voice for the most vulnerable in our society. In doing so, we are often immersed in traumatic events which, over time, can have an impact on our team’s wellbeing. We appreciate this partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center and believe this program will help our team mitigate some of the work-related stressors that impact their health,” said San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan. “This partnership allows our team to interact with animals as well as with their fellow employees in a positive and tranquil environment, allowing us to best help those who come through the doors at One Safe Place.
Documented research has discovered quality time spent with animals can reduce post-traumatic stress, and create positive outcomes for victims of abuse. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy program provides animal encounters with some of the Center’s ambassador animals, including multiple therapy dogs, cats, horses, bunnies and different birds and reptiles. Researchers have also found quality time spent with animals is actually good for the mind and body – lowering blood pressure, creating an inner peace and calm, and even helping refocus memory and concentration. The combination of animals and being outside in peaceful, nature settings creates a winning combination.
“We learned about heart coupling in horses,” said San Diego County District Attorney’s Office employee Robert Bird. “[Heart coupling] is when their heartbeats sync to ours, ours sync to them. It has a wonderful calming effect, a grounding, that you can feel immediately when you walk into their presence.”
Helen Woodward Animal Center partners with various organizations and companies for Pet Encounter Therapy visits, including elderly patients experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center visit https://animalcenter.org/or call (858) 756-4117.
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org/