Master's thesis from 2014 in the field of Education - Educational Psychology, grade: 1.0, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, language: German. Abstract: The term trauma is currently widely discussed, but what does it really mean? Critics often dismiss it as an excuse for harmful behavior, while supporters interpret it as a clear cause of such behavior. However, even trauma specialists do not agree on the use of the term. This thesis explores the phenomenon of trauma, its possible origins, and the educational approach to working with traumatized children and adolescents. It then presents animal-assisted work, examining the effects of animals on humans, while also highlighting potential risks involved in working with animals. Finally, it outlines projects related to animal-assisted work, bringing together the identified needs.