Being attacked by a dog is an awful experience for a child, both physically and emotionally. Even after physical wounds have healed, the emotional scars may linger. As a parent, you play a critical role in helping your child process their feelings and overcome any lasting fear or anxiety after a dog attack. This article provides guidance on steps you can take to support your child’s emotional recovery after a dog bite injury in Alabama.
Be There and Listen
Simply being present and available to listen is one of the most important things you can do following your child’s trauma. Don’t underestimate the power of just sitting with your child, letting them know you are there for them, and listening without judgment as they share their thoughts and feelings. This provides comfort and establishes trust. Avoid giving advice or feedback unless directly asked. Your primary role is to be a caring, non-critical listener.
Validate Their Feelings
Let your child know that however they are feeling – whether sad, angry, anxious, or afraid – is okay. Avoid telling them not to feel a certain way or that they are overreacting. Validation shows your child their emotions are normal and helps them move through the healing process. Statements like “It makes complete sense you would feel scared after what happened” demonstrate you understand.
Encourage Expression
Children often find it difficult to express emotions verbally. Provide outlets like art, writing or play activities to help them communicate their inner thoughts and feelings in other ways. You can prompt them with questions like “Would you like to draw how you felt during the attack?” or “Can you show me what happened using your toy animals?” These creative activities allow expression without pressure.
Reassure with Realism
While you don’t want to make unrealistic promises, providing reassurance can reduce anxiety. Let your child know that dog attacks are actually rare, and you will take steps to help keep them safe around dogs going forward. Explain that their nervous feelings are likely temporary and will get better over time. Avoid dramatic reassurances like “I promise I will never let a dog hurt you again.” Stick to realistic, balanced reassurance.
Establish a Consistent Routine
Getting back to a predictable routine with regular meals, bedtime, school/activities, and family time can provide comfort and restore a sense of normalcy. Children feel more secure when they know what to expect day-to-day. Avoid too many disruptions or surprises in the weeks following the trauma. Stick close to their normal routine.
Encourage Questions
Let your child know they can ask any question on their mind, and you will answer honestly. Children often have many detailed questions after a trauma, which helps them process the experience. If they ask something you don’t know the answer to, say “That’s a great question, let me think about it and get back to you.” Follow through and provide an answer later when you can.
Consider Counseling
If anxiety, depression, behavior changes or sleep issues persist more than a few weeks, counseling may be beneficial. A child psychologist can help your child open up about their feelings and overcome lingering trauma through evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Ask your child’s pediatrician or school counselor for referrals.
Avoid Pressure or Punishment
Never force your child to do something that makes them uncomfortable regarding dogs, like petting a dog or visiting homes with dogs. Also, do not punish fear-based behaviors, like not wanting to go outside. Your child needs compassion, not pressure. Move at their pace and offer gentle encouragement, not punishment.
Practice Calming Strategies
When your child feels anxious, teach them simple calming techniques like deep breathing, relaxing their muscles, or picturing a peaceful scene. Practice these when they are calm so the strategies are familiar. Then, prompt them to use a calming strategy when nervous, like before going to sleep. This equips them with tools to self-soothe.
Maintain Open Communication
Continue checking in with your child about their feelings and adjusting your support as needed. Emotional recovery is a process. Let them know they can come to you anytime they feel scared, angry or sad. Keep communication open and ongoing. Your emotional availability is the best remedy.
Contact Us Today
Helping a child recover emotionally from a dog attack requires patience, compassion and letting them take the lead. At Monge & Associates, we have 32 offices in 19 states including Alabama, Florida, and Virginia, and can help if you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident. Call now for a free consultation at 888-477-0597. Our attorneys are here to help you recover damages and find justice.