#LivingIt: Hibuki Dolls to Help Children Cope with Trauma

The JDC in Israel – Ashalim and the Education Ministry’s psychological counseling service have revived a therapeutic project to help children cope with trauma during Operation Protective Edge.

As part of the therapy method, children are given a stuffed dog, Hibuki (“Huggy”), which has extra-long arms that wrap around, giving them a hug. The idea behind the program is that when a child is given a stuffed animal to actively care for and address its fears and suffering to, the child transfers his or her emotions onto the stuffed animal. By taking care of Hibuki, the child is essentially treating his or her own trauma.

http://www.jpost.com/Health-and-Science/Stuffed-animal-dog-helps-children-cope-with-post-trauma-from-war-369322