Together + Strong
Together + Strong is an animal-assisted therapy programme that we have been running with the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Unit for Addressing Frailty at the Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor (HUSC) since 2021.
The programme has shown us how working with dogs increases motivation and happiness levels in frail patients, who are recuperating after a prolonged stay in the hospital.
This animal-assisted therapy programme was the first of its type in Spain and has had a demonstrable positive impact on patients with significant functional deterioration, which is, in many cases, aggravated by the ageing process. Working with the hospital’s specialist staff, we have observed that the fundamental change in patients is in the motivation and happiness that the animals inspire in them to continue with their recuperation.
Combining rehabilitation, physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions with dogs has required a multidisciplinary approach. The hospital’s psychologists and health staff have worked together with the Affinity Foundation’s professional team to support the patients, caring for their needs and limitations. The rooms dedicated to the interactions between patients and dogs have also had to be adapted, to ensure the smooth running of the sessions.
What we want to achieve
Contribute
to the patients’ recuperation process
Blaze a trail
for other hospitals to integrate the therapies as part of their services
Publicise
the physical and emotional benefits of the therapies
What can you do?
- Do your own research. Read, investigate, discuss the campaign with others...
- Share our campaign on social media or send it to whoever you want.
- Find out about strategies to reduce abandonment: identification, sterilisation, education, adoption.
What conclusions have we drawn from the programme?
One of the main conclusions that we have drawn from the programme is that the bond created between an animal and a person sparks the physical and emotional motivation necessary to recuperate in times of fragility. In patients with significant frailty, motivation is fundamental for them to continue with their recuperation and makes a difference when taking part in activities such as motility or physiotherapy sessions.
Some exercises develop balance, joint flexibility and alertness with the participation of the animals. The dogs’ presence also makes the patients feel better; their presence and company spark feelings of safety and admiration and they make us smile. These factors have a positive influence on motivation, the recuperation process and day-to-day wellbeing.
This significant emotional help given by dogs gives us a foundation for reaping physiological, motor and cognitive benefits. For frail patients, the happiness offered by the animals is highly valuable and teaches us that we are stronger with them.
