One of the most devastating events to occur for many parents is if their child is attacked by a dog. Kids are often attacked when they’re spending time outdoors and a dog is roaming without a leash. To ensure that your child recovers and you can move on from the trauma, there are a few important steps to take.
1. Seek Therapy
Both parents and kids will need to undergo therapy with a professional to ensure that you can move on from the anger and pain that you’re likely experiencing. Talk to someone who has experience working with small children and can help to ease their fears.
2. Hire a Lawyer
You’ll need to hire legal assistance to protect yourself and obtain the compensation that you deserve after your child has suffered from a dog attack. Consult the services of a firm like Law Office of Daniel E Goodman, LLC to learn about your rights and obtain representation in court to ensure that the dog owner is responsible for the attack.
3. Take Baby Steps
Understand that it may take a bit of time to move on from the attack and that you’ll have to be patient with your child as they recover both physically and emotionally. Take baby steps when it comes to going outside again or being around cats or dogs. Avoid pushing your child to move on too quickly and allow them to go at their own pace.
4. Communicate
It’s important to allow your child to have a voice when it comes to discussing the incident and encouraging them to express their feelings. Don’t be afraid to talk about how they felt or if they still have a fear of animals. Talking through the issue and emotions will make it easier to move on and provide your child with the support that they need.
5. Take a Break From Your Own Pets
Children may be afraid to be around their own cat or dog after suffering from an attack that occurred outside of the home. Be willing to give the animals away for a period of time as your child recovers to ensure that your little one feels safe in the home.
Although it may be difficult to know what to do after your child becomes a victim of a dog attack, there are several ways to help them recover. By taking the right steps, you can move on from the incident and enjoy life again.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
