Today, she reveals that through consistent support from her counselors, family and friends, including Emma, she has overcome the life-altering event. Epperson proudly describes Emma as “an angel in a dog’s body.”

“It was just crazy because the day he (the perpetrator) was caught, God placed Emma in our lives to give us the comfort and love that we needed,” Epperson says. Her neighbors rescued the dog after it was hurled from a moving car. When the two met, they immediately bonded.

Studies dating back to the late eighties have clearly demonstrated that dogs are able to enrich the lives of humans. Additionally, companion animals have shown to significantly help decrease both anxiety and stress levels—symptoms that rape survivors commonly struggle with. Along with professional counseling, and strong support from family and friends, sexual abuse survivors are increasingly turning toward canines to heal.

Dr. Andrea Bloomgarden, a Philadelphia psychologist whose area of expertise includes treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma related syndromes, explains, “a dog or cat can provide a lot of comfort for a person who had a trauma…they want to cuddle you and they don’t judge you. At the time it is exactly what a wounded person needs to heal his or her emotions.” However Bloomgarden emphasizes, “It is more of a close relationship with a particular animal.”

Erin Merryn, a social worker and the author of Stolen Innocence and a forthcoming memoir, Pinky Promise, first told Chance, a yellow Labrador, about the molestation she was enduring. “It’s almost like I was talking it through in my head - Am I doing the right thing? - and when you look at a dog you can connect with them in their eyes,” describes Merryn. She credits Chance for helping her “to survive in silence” and in building her confidence to eventually disclose to her parents that she was being molested.

Sherri Goldstein, an Oregon clinical hypnotherapist, experienced an epiphany by combining two of her specialties: dogs and therapy. She had three German Shepherds accompany her to work while treating a woman that had been raped. One day the client broke down and revealed that she only felt safe in her office specifically because of the dogs. A plan was quickly put into effect and Service Dogs for Victims/Survivors of Assault (SDVA) was created in 1999 with their unit comprised of “throwaway” dogs.

“I love the circle of the rescue dogs becoming the rescuers and the women who have been traumatized becoming the heroes. They work together for a team of empowerment,” Goldstein explains. “When it works, it works brilliantly, and regrettably the nature of human beings, being what it is, it doesn’t always work.”

One of her favorite success stories involves a client who was diagnosed with agoraphobia. She relied on fast food deliveries, taping the exact amount on the door for the deliveryman who would leave food on the doorstep. After joining SDVA, she was able to leave her apartment for the first time in years. Through SDVA, she built a strong network with other survivors and began to rebuild her independence. Soon she would return to school, graduate with a degree in nursing with her service dog by her side, and travel across the United States to see her daughter for the first time in eleven years.

Dogs have served a prominent role in helping to enhance the lives of these survivors but not everyone is suited to become a capable dog owner. In order for Goldstein to ensure that the dog’s well-being is not compromised, she makes frequent unannounced visits to their homes. Her ideal client is someone “who is essentially highly functional and the dog is a companion rather than a parental force in their life…and their issues aren’t so diverse that it is unrealistic or unfair to the dog.”

While SDVA matches individuals with rescue dogs, Joan Esnayra, founder of Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDS) provides an online network for dog handlers to discuss and exchange information. Since 1997, PSDS has operated as a virtual community comprised of 450 members. In a survey conducted by Esnayra, 69 percent of the handlers reported being sexually abused before they turned eighteen. She believes that a service dog is able to provide “something to focus on” for handlers who are managing symptoms. Watching your dog walk or heel on the street can provide peace, security, and help individuals overcome their fear and panic disorder, says Esnayra.

Kate Riffey, a rape survivor, understands. She is grateful that her Alaskan Husky has given her security as she ventures outside her cabin to use the outhouse. Riffey explains the communication that transpired. “I looked at General and we made eye contact. Suddenly everything was understood. He sensed my fear and decided that he was going to be my bodyguard. He led me to the outhouse, circled it and then sat by the door and waited for me…I’ve never asked him to. He just does it.”

For Debra, who does not want to disclose her last name, her dog restored her with a necessary and critical function. She explains, "Since I was raped while I was asleep, I struggled for a long time with falling asleep. Once I took in this stray, I started to feel safe again and slept better.”

Dogs by nature have body temperatures that are two to four degrees higher than humans, therefore upon touch they can immediately reorient someone who may be disassociating. Debra adds, “One of the ways (my therapist) and I would go over ways to cope with anxiety would be to snuggle and pet her fur. You are paying attention to her and that slows your breathing down. It is a way of grounding by being focused on something real and tangible as opposed to getting lost in anxious thoughts.”

At the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center (MRCCAC) in Texas, Betty Dickerson operates the Pawz for Kids program with thirty animal-assisted therapists (AAT). They range from a Yorkshire terrier to an English Mastiff. Since 2002, the four-legged therapists have proven to be highly effective in providing calm for children who have been victimized and for parents receiving news that their children have been abused. “You can imagine a lot of adults find out their child has been sexually abused...It is a life altering event and they have taken in a lot of information. The dog will certainly go to them and put their head in their lap,” says Dickerson.

Upon intake for a forensic interview, the child has the option to spend time with the AAT dog in the waiting room before the evaluation takes place. The canine therapist is not allowed in the room during the interview, however the dog is available after to comfort and console the child if needed. It is not unusual for the children to instantly bond with the first four-legged therapist they are introduced to. “For some of these kids it may have been the first time that someone has really loved them.” Dickerson says.

Ed Nicks, a retired police officer and dog trainer for MRCCAC, recalls a situation where a boy refused to attend his counseling session unless the original AAT dog was brought in, even though there was another canine therapist available. As a result, they brought in the first dog he had worked with and the child resumed his therapy session. Nicks adds, “That alone tells you the program works.”

Epperson’s abductor received over 59 years in prison on rape, kidnapping and assault charges with no parole. He was immediately arrested following an anonymous tip. “The fact that we had a trial and we put him in prison was very helpful and therapeutic,” Epperson says. “I needed to go through the trial and testify.”

The buzzing of a lawn mower forces Emma to take her eyes off her owner momentarily and the now vivacious college student leans forward and cusps Emma’s graying face. “She kept me a child longer by being able to play with her,” Epperson reveals. “She helped me embrace it and I had hurt so much…I wouldn’t be the same person if Emma weren’t in my life.”

For more information on rape crisis and animal therapy services, visit the following links to learn more:
Service Dogs for Victims/Survivors of Assault - www.dogsaver.org/sdva/
Psychiatric Service Dogs - www.psychdog.org
Rape and Incest National Network - www.rainn.org



About the Author
Jean Kim Mars is a Brooklyn based freelance photographer, producer and writer. She was born in Seoul, Korea and lived in Singapore prior to moving to the United States. She graduated from Boston University's College of Communication with a B.S. in Print Journalism. Upon graduation, she produced for several television networks and worked as a drug and alcohol counselor.