Principles of Animal Assisted Therapy
The Staff at HAMA
Led by Avshalom Beni, Executive Director, this group is a reflection of the multi-cultural populations served: Observant and secular Jews, physicians, veterinarians and other people with social work and Psychotherapy credentials are all on staff.
Avshalom has also added individuals who successfully underwent the therapy and who now help with outreach and care for the animals. Plus we cannot forget about the 30 dogs and 15 cats who serve as co-therapists.
Our Feline and Canine Co-Therapists
Each and every one of HAMA’s dogs and cats, together with the people they help and love, are treated as individuals with special abilities and disabilities alike. No matter what their origin, background or genetic heritage, all of HAMA’s animal companions are nurtured and loved under the same roof, from the blue blooded Pekingese and Persians to the abandoned mixed breeds rescued from neglect, abuse and violence.
The therapeutic message is clear: “More beautiful, less beautiful”, “more intelligent, less athletic”, “more athletic, less intelligent”, “more perfect or less perfect” than we as their “guardians” or “parents” would have wished all whom we love and with whom we identify, to be, they are nevertheless ours and we nevertheless theirs, with all of the wonderful and unique imperfections which make every family unique unto itself.