Mina was lying on the couch. She seems too small there, so vulnerable, thought Julia. Julia found this child's story to be so tragic and the girl herself quite sweet. I need to mind my counter-transference, she thought. The hypnosis session went well. Under hypnosis, Mina was able to speak, which confirmed Julia's assumption that her muteness was psychogenic and not physical. The post hypnotic suggestion did not include remembering the session. She was going to let Mina try to tell her story more gradually. Mina's drawings were impressive considering her age, but she was a natural talent and had a strong visual memory. She must have remembered Ruby as someone from her past, which is why she clung to heart the orphanage. Someone from the safe ...'before.' Julia believed that, given enough time, the drawings would include trauma memories of the train crash and her parents, and that they would emerge slowing and organically with the right encouragement and a nurturing environment. The dog was Mina's constant companion and in only 2 days the two of them were already great pals. Seeing the benefit the girl obtained from contact with the animal, Julia was already thinking about how to introduce animals therapeutically to her patients.

She had won over the administrator by appealing to his vanity and avarice: by accepting and treating Mina, the daughter of an internationally famous couple, it would raise the profile of the clinic, put a feather in his cap and possibly increase donations. His eyes were shining by the end of the conversation and he was lost in thought. If he was in a good mood, maybe she would ask him about using companion animals in the wards….

"Mina, you can wake up now and remember nothing of our conversation. You will feel relaxed and at peace. One, two, three." Mina's eyes opened. She sat up, checked on the where about of the dog, nodded and smiled shyly.

"Are you ready for your walk?" More smiling and nodding. "I will get the Nurse Johnson, and she will take you out. I will be leaving at 3:30 today, but I will see you tomorrow. Ruby will be coming to see you later." Bigger smile. "Good. Off we go."

Julia had to admit Ruby was right. The girl was charming, and so very traumatized. Her heart pained her to think on it.