Healing animals and people in Northern Uganda through veterinary care, rescue, rabies prevention, and trauma recovery with dogs.

The charity responsible for The Comfort Dog Project.

We operate Africa’s first and only animal-assisted trauma therapy program, where war trauma survivors are paired with former street dogs for a transformative 20-week healing journey. Clinically proven to reduce PTSD symptoms, the program is also shifting cultural attitudes about mental health and the value of dogs.

The BIG FIX Uganda is the only organization offering animal welfare education, a veterinary hospital, and animal care in Northern Uganda.  Since 2012, we have utilized a One Health approach to improve the lives of animals and the more than 9 million people living in this region.  This approach includes tireless work to create and strengthen human-animal bonds, such as through our Comfort Dog Project.

Why Northern Uganda? Twenty years of war left the region struggling with poverty. A total absence of veterinary care during the war allowed diseases like rabies and suffering of animals to become widespread. This is an area where we - and our donors - can have a dramatic impact.

Learn More about why The BIG FIX is working in Northern Uganda and
some of the challenges we face.

Learn More  about THE IMPACT of our work.

  • The Larema song by Steve Jay Omar with Emmanuel Otim, was written for and produced by The BIG FIX Uganda, to educate people about the importance of friendship with dogs.

Our Work

  • The relationship between dogs and people has evolved over thousands of years. Dogs have served people as companions, workmates, guides, and protectors, while humans have provided shelter and care for dogs. If dogs have not received the care and vaccinations that they need, they can pose a risk to humans for disease transmission. Through resources and animal care we provide to animals, The BIG FIX strives to ensure that people and companion animals live safe and healthy lives alongside one another.

  • The Human-Animal Bond (HAB) has been defined as:

    “A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors considered essential to the health and wellbeing of both. These connections can promote wellbeing including psychological, physical, and emotional interactions that occur among animals, people, and the environment."

    We see this every day at The BIG FIX and believe that these tangible benefits are the best evidence supporting a One Health framework and the Human-Animal Bond. The BIG FIX and its dedicated staff and veterinary professionals have made it their mission to optimize the potential of the HAB to improve the health of community members, both human and non-human, in communities across Northern Uganda.

    The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Human-animal bond. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published 2021. Accessed December 11, 2021. https://www.avma.org/one-health/human-animal-bond

  • The One Health Framework, collaboratively proposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Medical Association, recognizes that human and non-human animal and eco-system health are interconnected. For example, research indicates that the presence of a companion animal improves the health and wellness of people, physically, mentally, and socially. (AVMA 2008)

    The  BIG FIX Uganda exemplifies the concept of One Health by improving the health of companion animals while intentionally recognizing the interconnectedness between humans and non-human-animals, particularly as it relates to human mental and physical health.