Canku (formerly known as “Hibuki”) is a plush dog designed with long limbs and a sad expression.  It serves as a therapeutic tool for children who have experienced trauma, facilitating a form of self-soothing.  Children are taught to take care of Canku which acts as a medium for them to project their feelings.  This shifts the children’s focus from their own concerns, and reduces the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The primary objective of the Canku in Türkiye Task Force is to plan and oversee the manufacturing of the first 1000 Canku puppies in collaboration with the Civil Society Action Network (SAHA, Sivil Alan Hareket Ağı).

Canku was initially designed to assist children in the aftermath of armed conflict and its effectiveness was published⁽¹⁾.  Canku has since been implemented in different contexts worldwide, including natural disasters to provide emotional support to impacted children.

Fifty experts from local and national NGOs, Ministry of Family and Social Services, and grassroots organizations have been trained by clinical psychologist Shai Hen-Gal, PhD, who is the author of the initial paper on Canku, in the aftermath of the February 6^th earthquake in Türkiye.  A pilot project was completed in Şanlıurfa and Hatay with 35 children.  Follow up interviews with parents and children pointed to the high effectiveness of this intervention.

Addressing trauma in children is crucial for their emotional and psychological health.  Proper intervention can help restore a child’s sense of control and resilience, allowing them to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

Donations to the Canku Project will be processed by the Bridge to Turkiye Fund and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by IRS⁽²⁾.  Thank you so much for your contribution!