WE EMPOWER CROATIAN CHILDREN TO OVERCOME FEARS

Dear donors,

Thank you for supporting our project!

Our second workshop, "Rico's Paw Support", was a great and exciting experience for the 2nd grade students of the Julija Klovica Elementary School.

We focused on helping children face their fears with the help of the therapy dog Rico.

Psychologist Josipa and library manager Dubravka organized a great get-together. They made sure that Riko was ready to play and that the children had all the

necessary materials so that they could relax and enjoy the lesson spent with the therapy dog.

It was only the second time this group had spent time with Rico, and the interaction the children had with him was truly touching.

Every move or trick Rico performed caused excitement and joy among them.

The therapy dog won the hearts of many children who could not wait to interact with him. Everyone took turns feeding him treats and were overjoyed when

he performed a trick. The genuine affection they showed for Rico created a warm and safe atmosphere, allowing them to talk freely about their fears.

Despite the energy and noise with about 24 children competing for Rico’s attention, he remained calm and patient throughout the workshop, showing off his

 wonderful temperament. The scene was colorful, and the rustling of candy only added to the cheerful atmosphere.

This unique workshop was not just an opportunity to face fears; it turned into a touching event that combined fun, learning, and compassion. It will be a fond

memory for all of us, reminding us of the special bonds we can form with our pets and friends.

During the lecture, Josipa explained to the children:

How to recognize and name your own fears?

How to recognize the nature of your fears and visualize them?

How to learn strategies for coping with fear?

• What thoughts go through our heads when we experience certain emotions in our body.

Josipa also paid attention to the fact that these were children aged eight or nine, and she talked about such serious topics in an accessible way for them.

At no point did she allow the children with excessive fear to feel intimidated or isolated.

She brought fear closer to them through play with Rico.

1. How to recognize and name your own fears?   (15 min)

Step 1: Do we feel something strange?

Step 2: What exactly are we feeling?

Step 3: What scares us?

Step 4: We name the fear!

When we name our fear, we actually have a little control over it. This helps us:

To understand ourselves: We know what is bothering us.

To talk about it: We can tell someone how we are feeling.

To find solutions: We can figure out how to deal with the fear.

Remember: We all fear something sometimes. It's important to acknowledge our fears, talk about them, and learn how to deal with them.

2. How to recognize the nature of your fears and visualize them? (15 min)

Here are the steps you can follow:

a. Let's talk about emotions!

Try to write down or say what you feel:

Rapid heartbeat: This can mean that you are afraid.

Sweaty palms: This can mean that you are nervous.

Feeling short of breath: This can mean panic.

b. Identifiers and fears!

Try to separate your fears. Ask yourself:

What scares me the most?

Am I afraid of something specific (e.g. heights, the dark, public speaking)?

Is it something that could happen, or is it just a thought or memory?

c. Ask about the fears!

Thinking about when and why it happens.

Am I afraid of the dark because of something that happened in the past?

Have I had bad experiences with something?

d. Visualize Fears!

Now, let's visualize your fear! One way to do this is through visual representation:

Steps:

Close your eyes: Imagine your fear for a moment. What shape would it have? Would it be big or small? Would it be hairy, cold, or hollow?

Give it a name: Give your fear a name. You could call it "The Dark" or "The Spider." When you give it a name, it becomes less scary.

Picture it: Imagine what it looks like. Where are you when you meet it? How do you feel?

Be a friend: Imagine talking to your fear. Ask it why it scares you. You might find that your fear is actually trying to help you in some way.

e. Draw the fear!

After you visualize it, take a piece of paper and a pencil. Try drawing your fear! It doesn't have to be perfect, it's important to show how you see it.

f. Relaxation techniques!

When you sketch or imagine your fears, you can use relaxation techniques:

Deep breathing: Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

Meditation: Try to focus on your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

g. Talk about your fears:

Share your experiences with someone you trust. This can help.

3. How to learn strategies for coping with fear? (15 min)

Okay, let's dive into strategies for coping with fear. Here's a breakdown of techniques you can learn and practice:

Recognize and Name Your Fear:

Identify the Trigger: What is the specific situation, object, or thought that triggers your fear? Be as precise as possible.

Name the Fear: Give your fear a name (e.g., "fear of public speaking," "anxiety about social situations"). This makes it less abstract and more manageable.

Write it down: Journaling or writing down your fears and anxieties can help you process them and gain perspective.

Challenge Negative Thoughts:

Recognize Physical Symptoms:

Pay attention to how your body reacts to fear (e.g., increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension).

Learn to Calm Your Body: Use techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to calm your body's physical response.

Coping Strategies (Actionable Steps):

Breathing Techniques:

Deep Breathing:

Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, filling your belly with air (diaphragmatic breathing).

Hold your breath for a few seconds.

Exhale slowly through your mouth.

Repeat several times.

Create a Fear Hierarchy:

List your feared situations or objects in order from least to most anxiety-provoking.

Start with the Least Frightening: Gradually expose yourself to the situations on your list, starting with the easiest.

Practice Relaxation: Use relaxation techniques while exposed to the feared situation.

Engage in Activities: Sometimes, fear leads to avoidance. Behavioral activation encourages you to engage in activities that you find meaningful and enjoyable,

even when you don't feel like it. Schedule Activities: Plan and schedule activities to reduce avoidance and increase positive experiences.

Build a Support System:

Talk to Someone:

Share your fears with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist.

Get Enough Sleep:

Sleep deprivation can worsen anxiety.

Eat a Healthy Diet:

Nourish your body and mind with nutritious foods.

Exercise Regularly:

Physical activity can reduce stress and improve mood.

Important Considerations:

Start Small: Don't try to tackle all your fears at once. Begin with the easiest ones and gradually work your way up.

Be Patient: Overcoming fear takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.

Be Kind to Yourself: It's okay to experience setbacks. Learn from them and keep going.

Seek Professional Help: If your fear is significantly interfering with your life.

The implementation of project activities in the past period is in accordance with the set goals of the project, which refer to:

• socializing and workshops for 24 children with therapy dog Rico and his mentor Josipa,

• conducting various topics that teach us about emotions and ways to control them,

• children's photo session to remember the wonderful gatherings with friends and activities with the therapy dog and

• distribution of gifts that included lots of chocolate and sweets.

All these activities will help in the prevention of later more severe forms of anxiety and at the same time contribute to the solution of related specific

social problems and proactively influence the development of the community as a whole.

Considering the relaxing and stimulating role of therapy dogs for children's development, this type of workshop represents

innovative activity for Croatian school students. So far, thanks to your support, we have included over 160 children aged 8-12,

and our intention is to implement the program in all schools that show interest in this form of holding workshops.

Dear donors, we invite you to stay in touch with us or contact us through social networks or through our website

if you want to know more about our project.

We believe that the pictures in the attachment will also cheer you up.

Warm regards

The Libera Team

Links:

• SEARCH FOR US ON FACEBOOK

• LIBERA_FEBRUARY2025_E.pdf (PDF)
  

Dear donors and supporters,

thank you for supporting our activities with your donations.

First workshop titled "Rico's Paw Support " was a wonderful and engaging experience for the 2B grade of elementary school Julija Klovica, focusing on helping children address their fears with the presence of

a therapy dog named Rico.

The session took an unexpected turn when the leader and psychologist, Josipa, brought her two-month-old baby, Maria, as a delightful surprise for the children.

As the children entered the room of the school library, they were buzzed with excitement and curiosity since teacher Ivana had kept the surprise under wraps. The moment Josipa walked in with baby Maria,

the atmosphere shifted to pure joy.

The children’s faces lit up, and they quickly gravitated towards both Rico and little Maria, each embracing their roles in the workshop in different ways. Rico, the therapy dog, captured the hearts of many

kids who were eager to interact with him.

They took turns feeding him treats and were in awe of the tricks he performed. The genuine affection the students showed towards Rico created a warm and comforting environment, allowing some of

them to express their fears in a safe space. Meanwhile, others were completely enchanted by baby Maria. They gathered around Josipa, gently reaching out to see the baby and showering her with

attention. It demonstrated a beautiful mix of nurturing instincts and curiosity among the children, highlighting their capacity for empathy.

Despite the workshop being bustling with energy and around 24 children vying for attention, Rico remained calm and patient throughout the event, showcasing his exemplary temperament as a therapy dog.

The scene was lively, and the rustling of sweets added to the playful chaos a sweet treat that only enhanced the experience.

This unique workshop was not just about confronting fears; it blossomed into an unexpectedly heartwarming event that blended fun, learning, and compassion. It will be a cherished memory for everyone involved,

reminding them of the special bonds that can be formed with pets, babies, and friends.

During the lecture, Josipa explained to the children:

• What are emotions?

• What types of emotions do we know?

• What kind of change happens in our body when we feel one of the emotions?

• What thoughts go through our heads when we experience certain emotions in our body.

Considering the fact that this workshop was special in every way, and considering the children's interaction with the baby and the dog, Josipa did not want to burden them with too many activities.

She concentrated on two activities: Getting to know the children and Getting to know Rico.

Game 1. Say something about yourself... (25 min)

Objective: presentation and individual introduction of the children and the workshop leader, to encourage active listening and

 remembering the information we learn about each other

How to play the game:

Hand out pieces of paper and felt-tip pens/crayons/pencils and adhesive tape.

Instructions: "Write your name on a piece of paper, you can decorate it with colors and/or draw a symbol next to your name and stick it on your T-shirt. Next, say your name and two things you like.

For example This is Rico the dog. He really likes to perform tricks, And he likes to go for walks."

Game 2. That's it! (25 min)

Goal: to raise awareness of the activity(s) that Rico enjoys the most and the activities that they also enjoy the most.

To share one's own interests with others, acquire a tool that can be used to lift one's mood

encouraging the experience of pleasant emotions

How to perform the exercise:

First, share with the students an activity that Rico really enjoys (performing different tricks, e.g.-

fetching a ball, pulling a rope, etc.) And in which I enjoy (playing with Rik), describe how

I feel when I am engaged in this activity, how completely I am devoted to it. Encourage students

to think about what for them represents this type of activity to which they are fully committed and in which

they enjoy. I can write down the answers or say them out loud and share them with the group.

Emphasize the importance of having or finding a (favorite) activity that they are very good at, when

they deal with it - they feel different pleasant emotions, they feel satisfied, happy, fulfilled.

Emphasize that engaging in this activity is one of the ways to "repair" a bad day, a bad one

moods and a way of experiencing pleasant emotions.

Homework:

To draw myself and the emotions I experience while doing my favorite activity.

The children were especially emotional at the workshop because they became very close to dog. Rico also played a major role in

reducing there fear since he never barks during the workshop, except at Josip's request.

As he met all the children for the first time, he gently nudged them and greeted them with his muzzle before the workshop began.

He is extremely sweet and got under the skin of all the children. And we can learn a lot from his behavior, which is unreservedly supportive

of all the children he comes into contact with. He completely calms them down, they cheerfully carry out their tasks and know that even if

they make a mistake, Rico will certainly not judge them.

The implementation of project activities in the past period is in accordance with the set goals of the project, which refer to:

• socializing and workshops for 24 children with therapy dog Rica and his mentor Josip,

• conducting various topics that teach us about emotions and ways to control them,

• children's photo session to remember the wonderful gatherings with friends and activities with the therapy dog and

• distribution of gifts that included lots of chocolate and sweets.

All these activities will help in the prevention of later more severe forms of anxiety and at the same time contribute to the solution of related specific

social problems and proactively influence the development of the community as a whole.

Considering the relaxing and stimulating role of therapy dogs for children's development, this type of workshop represents

innovative activity for Croatian school students. So far, thanks to your support, we have included over 160 children aged 8-12,

and our intention is to implement the program in all schools that show interest in this form of holding workshops.

Dear donors, we invite you to stay in touch with us or contact us through social networks or through our website

if you want to know more about our project.

We believe that the pictures in the attachment will also cheer you up.

Warm regards

The Libera Team

Links:

• SEARCH FOR US ON FACEBOOK

• LIBERA_DECEMBER2024_E.pdf (PDF)