Therapy Dogs: Dogs provide emotional support for conflict survivors in Uganda

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Northern Uganda continues to struggle with the effects of the Lord's Resistance Army rebellion. Thousands have suffered from mental health conditions thought to have been caused by the long-running conflict. Now dogs are being used as a way of providing social and emotional support for victims. Leon Ssenyange reports.

Francis Okello knows first-hand what it means to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Blinded by a bomb blast, he has since struggled through life.

FRANCIS OKELLO VICTIM OF LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY "I suffered a lot. I had no friends, it was very hard for me to do things on my own."

Now his best friend is a dog called Happy.

FRANCIS OKELLO VICTIM OF LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY "When I come back home, Happy is the first person to welcome me. She jumps on me, she plays with me and I know this is unconditional love."

Like Okello, the twenty year long civil war in northern Uganda left many with mental scars. Okello says his comfort dog project is now helping victims recover. Here dogs are being used to improve victims' social and emotional wellbeing.

LEON SSENYANGE OMORO, NORTHERN UGANDA "Opwonya is one of the therapy dogs at this centre, she is placed with a guardian and trained for five months. The bond formed after is nothing short of incredible."

Susan Adokorack was abducted by the lord's resistance army rebels. She is one of more than thirty victims to be paired with a dog companion. Wat nom has been by her side for two years now.

SUSAN ADOKORACK VICTIM OF LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY "Wat nom has brought so many changes in my life. I feel better. Wat nom always watches out for me, I feel more secure now."

Psychologists admit man's favorite four-legged friend is a life-altering option to those who are psychologically challenged.

DR. PAUL NYENDE PSYCHOLOGIST "Sometimes humans are not ready to share a moment with you and this animal doesn't feel the pain that you feel. You can be able to distract yourself from the thoughts by playing with the animal, take a walk. It can be very supportive if you are going through a difficult time."

It has taken a while for society to accept that a canine friend can change a soul. Concerns about sanitation and animal temperament remain the perceived risks. Even still, it is dogs like Wat nom and Happy, that are helping some people pull through. LS CGTN Ariya Village, Northern Uganda.