Animal-assisted activities in hospitals – A project to humanize care

“Quattro zampe in corsia” is a project of the Gruppo San Donato Foundation. The project, supported by the Fondazione Prossimo Mio, foresees an annual round of assisted activities with animals in the hospitals of the group.
In fact, a lot of scientific evidence demonstrates the potential of the use of animals as a part of care, in particular in hospitals and in retirement homes, places in which people are separated from the love and support of people near and dear to them. Even just the presence of an animal during situations that are perceived as stressful (for example, undergoing invasive exams or medical care) is known to reduce levels of anxiety, blood pressure, and the rate of the heart beat.
Scientific studies have shown how physical contact with an animal induces a reduction of the hormones in the blood that are responsible for responding to stress (cortisol). Furthermore, the selfsame physical contact causes an increase in the quantity of hormones and neurotransmitters able to determine positive emotions and to reduce anxiety and stress.

In Italy, various approaches to animal-assisted interventions (IAA) can be identified based on which component prevails: so-called game-recreation (assisted-activity with animals, AAA), education (assisted-education with animals, EAA), or therapy (assisted-therapy with animals, TAA).

The activities of “Quattro zampe in corsia” have begun
Teodoro, River, Siena, Sebe, Mimì and other four-legged friends are the protagonists, together with the patients, of the activities of “Quattro zampe in corsia.”
The activities provide for interactive positive experiences to improve and maintain the health and the physical, psychological, and social well-being of each person while respecting the animals.
The encounters are guided by dott.ssa Debra Buttram – Supervisor of the project, dog helper, and an IAA trainer – and her team of professionals.
The activities begun are of two types. In the first case, any patient experiencing a brief stay in General Medicine wards may participate if they want to. In the second case, patients in wards for long-term recovery may also participate, and this has made possible a more frequent involvement focused on specific needs.