Lucy suffered from nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety as a result of the horrors she lived through. Her Comfort Dog, Sadik, quickly learned that distracting Lucy when she fell into these thought patterns was the most effective strategy. So, when Sadik felt Lucy's mood turn dark, he would chide her into play. Because she loved Sadik, Lucy would oblige him and find herself running and playing again like a carefree child. Sadik would make Lucy laugh and smile again, she her nightmares were replaced by these happy moments spent playing with Sadik.
Charles had lost everything - his wife, his son, his mental and physical health - as a result of serving in the government forces and, later, as a forced rebel soldier. The only thing that prevented him from taking his own life was the escape he found in drinking alcohol. No one, not even his mother, could convince Charles to pursue sobriety. But after receiving his Comfort Dog Ogenrwot, Charles gave up alcohol because, he said, "Ogen doesn't like the smell of it."
Though working with their dogs, something else miraculous happened. These people who were not able to look someone in the eye, who worked hard to isolate themselves from others, who could not stand up and say their name in front of a crowd, these people started smiling, talking to one another, and supporting each other. And feeling proud.
Filda's transformation since adopting Lok Oroma has been typical. When Filda began as a participant in The Comfort Dog Project, she was quiet and withdrawn, never smiled, and never made eye contact. Today, Filda is taking Lok Oroma to schools all over the region and regularly speaks to groups in excess of 1,000 people with full confidence and pride. And her smile lights up the room.
Despite the success, working with rescued dogs and war trauma survivors is not something that has an easy fix. The Comfort Dog Project has worked only because The BIG FIX makes a lifetime commitment to every guardian and to every dog. That means a lifetime of counseling and creating opportunities for employment and it means providing a lifetime of free veterinary care for all our dogs.
Guardians who complete the Comfort Dog training and certification testing are eligible for further training to become field educators for The BIG FIX Uganda. These field educators play an important role in our mobile village clinics, where they teach dog guardians how to care for their dogs, ensure no dog has an unsafe neck restraint, and help with grooming and washing. Some of the field educators have received training in vet nursing and one is now employed full time in the BIG FIX hospital. Other Comfort Dog Project graduates work as dog trainers, rescue officers, mentors, and community mobilizers.
How these people and dogs are all on a path to healing because of YOU.
The Comfort Dog Project could not exist without The BIG FIX Uganda’s other programs. The dog hospital, in particular, is critical to the project. Our school education program, which includes two Comfort Dog Project Dog Guardian teams and the Aswa Region's top police official, is also critical to community sensitization and changing perceptions about animals.
Thank you for helping us to carry out this amazing work, to heal the lives of dogs and people, and to care for the animals of Northern Uganda. We are deeply humbled and honored by your support. If you would like to donate, please visit our donation page…
Charles had lost everything - his wife, his son, his mental and physical health - as a result of serving in the government forces and, later, as a forced rebel soldier. The only thing that prevented him from taking his own life was the escape he found in drinking alcohol. No one, not even his mother, could convince Charles to pursue sobriety. But after receiving his Comfort Dog Ogenrwot, Charles gave up alcohol because, he said, "Ogen doesn't like the smell of it."
Though working with their dogs, something else miraculous happened. These people who were not able to look someone in the eye, who worked hard to isolate themselves from others, who could not stand up and say their name in front of a crowd, these people started smiling, talking to one another, and supporting each other. And feeling proud.
Filda's transformation since adopting Lok Oroma has been typical. When Filda began as a participant in The Comfort Dog Project, she was quiet and withdrawn, never smiled, and never made eye contact. Today, Filda is taking Lok Oroma to schools all over the region and regularly speaks to groups in excess of 1,000 people with full confidence and pride. And her smile lights up the room.
Despite the success, working with rescued dogs and war trauma survivors is not something that has an easy fix. The Comfort Dog Project has worked only because The BIG FIX makes a lifetime commitment to every guardian and to every dog. That means a lifetime of counseling and creating opportunities for employment and it means providing a lifetime of free veterinary care for all our dogs.
Guardians who complete the Comfort Dog training and certification testing are eligible for further training to become field educators for The BIG FIX Uganda. These field educators play an important role in our mobile village clinics, where they teach dog guardians how to care for their dogs, ensure no dog has an unsafe neck restraint, and help with grooming and washing. Some of the field educators have received training in vet nursing and one is now employed full time in the BIG FIX hospital. Other Comfort Dog Project graduates work as dog trainers, rescue officers, mentors, and community mobilizers.
How these people and dogs are all on a path to healing because of YOU.
The Comfort Dog Project could not exist without The BIG FIX Uganda’s other programs. The dog hospital, in particular, is critical to the project. Our school education program, which includes two Comfort Dog Project Dog Guardian teams and the Aswa Region's top police official, is also critical to community sensitization and changing perceptions about animals.
Thank you for helping us to carry out this amazing work, to heal the lives of dogs and people, and to care for the animals of Northern Uganda. We are deeply humbled and honored by your support. If you would like to donate, please visit our donation page…