Sandra believes the animals help give control back to the child. When an animal comes on to the ward the childs' role changes - they become the carer, not the patient being cared for. The child can feed and groom it - even if it's only for 15 minutes. It is also a focus for the child to talk about their own pets, or experiences with animals. They can direct the conversation, not simply answer questions about their illness or injury.
Animals break down barriers.
In some cases, animals can get through when nothing else can. The children of a Vietnamese refugee family were eight, six and four when Sandra first met them. They had witnessed terrible hardship during their escape and then suffered, at the hands of a violent father. At a safe haven, all three elected to become mute. They would not communicate with their mother, their teachers, other children or even with each other.