When I was a kid I was very abused. I volunteered with a neighbor kid and went to the humane society most weekends. We would walk the dogs, bathe them, etc.
I adopted one that was going to be put to sleep. She had been badly abused. You could just look at her and she would cower and pee all over the room and herself. When I took her home, I knew what she needed. She didn't need to be showered with attention or played with alot. She needed to learn and see for herself that I was a safe person. When she blew it (i.e. tore up a whole role of toilet paper and frolicked across the house strewing it everywhere...)she would hide and pee. I just said "No" calmly, not loud. I picked up the paper and disposed of it. I set out water and food and let her come out for it when she was ready. When I took her for a walk, her tail was always between her legs and she guardedly glanced from side to side, even tho it was very early morning when most everyone was sleeping. Eventually she came to me and licked my hand. I gently stroked her head. Then a few days later, she got on the couch beside me. She no longer peed on the floor at every sound or movement. A few more days and she was walking frisky with her tail up and wagging. She came to me and would roll over to expose her belly (means a dog trusts you). She was a very very good dog. Another dog I could not saved, but would have if I could have. It was a German Shepherd that barked visciously. I would near his cage and talk gently. When he barked, he wagged his tail. One day I stuck my hand in the cage, and he licked it and I could pet him. But he was put down because of liability concerns from the shelter. Abused people have alot in common with abused animals. And I believe, all dogs go to heaven!!