Gulu, Uganda – The BIG FIX Uganda, an animal welfare organization has celebrated the 11th graduation ceremony of its comfort Dog Project guardians, a program that pairs specially trained dogs with survivors of trauma to promote healing and emotional well-being.
Speaking during the event, Francis Okello Oloya, Director of the Dog Comfort Program emphasized the unique role dogs play as therapy animals.
“We use dogs specifically because they have very special and gentle temperaments,” He said.
He explained that before pairing, every dog undergoes temperament testing to ensure compatibility with its guardians.
“Dogs have been humanity’s closest friends from the beginning of life. Their bond with humans is strong. A dog will always return home looking for its owner and stay loyal for life unlike goats and cows that may wander off without attachment, dogs remain our best friend. In our culture in Acholi we don’t eat dogs because we value them as companions,” He said.
He says for the past 11 years, the Comfort Dog Project has offered to hundreds of trauma survivors especially former LRA returnees, people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and individuals battling depression.
He further says clients with severe PTSD symptoms find support through companionship of their dogs interacting, playing, walking and even sharing their traumatic stories with them. The dogs listen without judgment or stigma.
He recalled a remarkable case of one guardian who had witnessed a killing of her mother in front of her and could not sleep for over 20 years finally found peace after bonding with her dog.
According Okello, she regained confidence, overcame fear and now sleeps through the night and that is the healing power of the program.
The therapy he said works as a form of relaxation and emotional release, survivors often confide in their dogs when they cannot speak freely with people due to stigma.
Despite its successes the project has faced challenges particularly negative attitudes towards dogs.
He said, for a longtime people doubted whether using dogs for therapy could work. Some even mistreated or poisoned dogs. Personally he lost sight in a blast injury and sank into isolation.
“But two dogs belonging to my neighbor instinctively started supporting me, visiting me daily. They gave me strength, peace of mind and helped me recover from despair. The experience inspired me to champion this work,” He shared.
Robert Onen, a 37 years old and a father of four says he enrolled in the Comfort Dog Project because he went through a hard time when he was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army and stayed in captivity close to five years.
In 2020, he was given a dog named “Iroba Nono,” literally means “Why disturbs me” which provided companionship and emotional support for four years until his death.
This bond alleviated some of his trauma offering solace and acceptance that countered the stigma he faced. Throughout his journey , Onen learned valuable skills from the training that have positively influenced his perspective on life changing his responses to negative comments, as he narrated.
He has cultivated a strong relationship with animals and maintains this bond by ensuring his family supports the care of his dog in his absence.
According to Onen, when provoked he practices self isolation with his dog using play as a coping mechanism a technique learned during his training.
Alice Angee, a resident of Bar cell, Gulu City who lost her mother in 2023 reflects the trauma she went through during the hard times emphasizing their close relationship as the elder in the family.
according to Angee, she joined the BIG FIX Uganda and named her dog “Gen Rwot” which means “Trust in God,” symbolizing her reliance on faith amid challenges though some people perceive her work with dogs as merely casual but she finds deeper significance in it.
“Gen Rwot has helped me in many ways amid the challenges and difficulty I went through when I lost my mother,” she says.
Filda Aber who live in Lapinyoloyo, Omoro district says she sought help due to ongoing domestic violence.
“My husband has been physically abusive and threatens my life causing me great fear and stress. I began attending counseling sessions which helped me connect with other women facing similar struggles,” she said.
Despite these challenges, I have seven children and find some solace in a dog named “Pe Rom” meaning Not the same who provides comfort during difficult times and my situation has begun to improve since bringing the dog home from Big Fix, she narrated.
However, Okello condemned the cruelty many dogs face in Uganda including poisoning, beating and neglect stressing that it is heartbreaking to see stray dogs scavenging in garbage just to survive yet some people still poison dogs, a humane practice contrary to section 334 of the penal Code Act of Uganda which criminalizes injuring animals.
“Anyone found guilty can face up to 7 years in prison. As BIG FIX Uganda we work with Police to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice,” He said.
According to Okello, encouragingly attitudes are shifting because in the past, Women rarely worked with dogs or brought then to hospital but today, more women are embracing them, caring for them and recognizing their value and that is a big change, Okello added.
He warned that poisoning dogs is also dangerous for humans, stating that when a poisoned dog is discarded toxin seep into water streams, gardens and food chains eventually harming people.
“Poison doesn’t die, killing dogs with poison is also killing humans slowly,” He cautioned.
He explained that cruelty to animals often breeds violence against people, adding that those who enjoy spilling animal blood can easily transfer that aggression to human beings. That is why we must teach kindness to animals if we want to build peaceful communities,” He emphasized.
He further says, The BIG FIX Uganda also promotes spaying and neutering as humane methods of dog population control.
“Our veterinary doctors carry out professional surgeries under anesthesia to ensure dogs don’t feel pain and this prevents diseases and also reduces fights and helps dogs live longer, healthier lives,” He explained.
