Case Studies

Explore our Case Studies to read about the many ways that champions of this work are supporting survivors and their animals. Topics include:


Trauma-Informed Care in Animal Service Settings: Supporting Survivors with Animals

Supporting survivors with animals through a foster-based animal safekeeping program: Toronto Humane Society & Vancouver Humane Society

  • Access Toronto Humane Society case study here..
  • Access Vancouver Humane Society case study here..

Trauma-Informed Care in Social Service Settings: Supporting Survivors with Animals

Supporting survivors with animals through a foster-based animal safekeeping program: Paws For Hope & BC SPCA

  • Access Paws for Hope case study here
  • Access BC SPCA case study here.

Co-Sheltering On-Site

Supporting survivors with animals through co-sheltering: Bethesda House, Interval House of Ottawa & Regina Transition House

  • Access Bethesda House case study here
  • Access Interval House of Ottawa case study here.
  • Access Regina Transition House case study here..

Sheltering Off-Site

Supporting survivors with animals through off site animal safekeeping programs: Genesis House & PEI Humane Society

  • Access Genesis House case study here.
  • Access PEI Humane Society case study here..

Supporting Rural & Remote Communities

Supporting survivors of GBV with animals in rural Southern Ontario: Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis  and Crossroads Resources Center and Women's Shelter

  • Access Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis case study here 
  • Access Crossroads Resources Center and Women's Shelter case study here

Service Animals & Disability Rights

Supporting survivors of GBV with service animals: Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) & National Service Dogs

  • Access Pacific Assistance Dogs Society case study here
  • Access National Service Dogs case study here.

Survivor Stories

The ACT Project is privileged to hold survivor stories which were shared to demonstrate real-life examples of the impactful bond between a survivor and their animals.

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - LD'S STORY

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - J'S STORY

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - LEAVING WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

SURVIVOR DECLARATION - T'S STORY

The ACT Project is privileged to hold anonymous survivor stories which were collected through an anonymous Survivor Story Survey. These stories are a testament to the human-animal bond, and the need to advocate for a better system of support for survivors and their animals.

My animal was threatened with violence as well. We cannot forget the trauma animals go through.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

I had several horses, dogs and cats. I did not have anywhere to take the horse. The dogs were a big enough barrier, but the horses made it almost impossible to be able to leave. The animals I had created no options for me to be able to leave with them.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

I chose to stay rather than leave them (my animals) in his care. I knew they would be harmed if I left them.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

I couldn’t bring her with me to the shelter, and I sure as heck wasn’t going without her!

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

(My pet and I) ended up living in my car for three months until I was able to find safe housing for us.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

I was in between homes because of abuse, and my animal and I have been separated a few times in our life because I am unable to house myself and him. Those are heartbreaking moments to look back on, as I wish that life's instability and abusive factors did not take away from precious time we could have had together.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023

Domestic violence is isolating enough without having to give up an animal who feels like your only support most days.

- Anonymous Survivor

ACT Project Survivor Story Survey, 2023