The Silent Healers
Ariana Suárez
64W Photojournalism - Spéos 2022-2024
The Silent Healers
Throughout history, humans have traditionally taken care of animals, but recent research has shown that the dynamic isn’t always one-sided. Sometimes, roles reverse, highlighting how various animals can serve as our health mediators, becoming our healers simply through their presence. With this project, I wanted to document the practice of Animal Therapy with different species, revealing its impacts and reactions through the choices of animals and methods used in France.
This ongoing project focuses on two associations based in Paris and Dijon, which have been followed for three months. The first one, “Patte Blanche Mediation” in Paris, conducts sessions with two trained dogs across multiple EHPAD establishments. Meanwhile, the second one, “ Les Chouettes du Coeur” in Dijon, takes a unique approach by employing birds of prey such as owls, hawks, and buzzards. For almost a decade, they’ve engaged with a diverse spectrum of individuals, including those with disabilities those with disabilities, social difficulties, vulnerabilities, and the elderly.
During these sessions, we are invited into an intimate space that reveals the genuine bond between the animals and the patients. Consequently, the patients experience various benefits, including the nurturing of social connections, enhancement of motor skills, and the facilitation of emotional expression. This innovative therapy approach is still evolving and has much potential for further exploration with various animal species. The dogs and the birds represent just a fraction of this impressive practice.
Special thanks to Nouchka, Catherine, Hubert and Elisabeth, the caretakers of these valued animals.
Ariana Suárez is a Peruvian Photographer based in Paris, France. Her work focuses on following her curiosity about human nature and its relationship with the world, and thus being able to capture emotions and things that people normally overlook.
After working for 5 years as an event and couple photographer in Lima (Peru), she decided to take her photography to another level. By enrolling at Spéos for the European Master of Photography in Paris (France), she's specialized in Documentary and PhotoReportage.
www.arianasuarezss.com arianassphotography@gmail.com @arianassphotography +33 0767204181 | +51 999889624
