The social reintegration of people who have faced difficult experiences, such as returnees and former prisoners, requires innovative approaches.
The Carlos F. Novella Foundation, through its program La Factoría Ciudadana, has implemented animal-assisted therapy, facilitated by the Academia Ékita, located in zone 16 of Guatemala City.
This therapeutic approach, which began in 2023 thanks to the support of the Novella family, uses interaction with animals, especially horses, to promote the emotional and psychological well-being of participants.
Including horses is key, as these animals, living in a herd, foster a sense of belonging and improve individuals’ social integration skills.
Since its implementation, three groups of participants have benefited from these sessions.
One of the most significant cases is that of Alan Miranda, a returned migrant who initially showed resistance to contact with horses.
However, with help from the trainers, Alan was able to overcome his fears, which positively impacted his anxiety level and his reintegration process.
In addition to animal-assisted therapy, La Factoría Ciudadana offers other services, such as individual and group psychological therapy and spiritual strengthening, supporting the tertiary violence prevention model.
This holistic approach has proven to be a valuable resource for strengthening resilience and providing new opportunities for participants.
