As part of the Children’s Day celebrations, Quinta da Caldeira and CRESCER today organised an activity in the outdoor area of Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital, providing children, families, and healthcare professionals with opportunities to interact with animals.
“The initiative featured Junior the horse, along with sheep, rabbits, ducklings, and a dog called Quintas, who quickly won the attention and affection of both children and adults. Throughout the morning, countless moments of interaction, curiosity, and joy were observed, temporarily transforming a hospital environment into a space of discovery, connection, and well-being,” states a press release.
Quinta da Caldeira and CRESCER note that “a growing body of scientific evidence supports the presence of animals in healthcare settings.” They explain that “several studies have shown that structured and supervised contact with animals can help reduce anxiety and stress levels, promote positive emotions, encourage social interaction, stimulate communication, and provide meaningful experiences of normality in environments often associated with medical procedures, pain or hospitalisation.”
The organisations also emphasise that “all activities were planned and carried out according to strict safety, health and animal welfare standards.” They add: “The participating animals are subject to regular veterinary monitoring, including ongoing health checks, compliance with vaccination and deworming programmes, health assessments, and continuous welfare monitoring. All hygiene, biosafety, and participant-contact procedures were implemented in accordance with internationally recommended best practices for animal-assisted interventions and contact activities in institutional settings.”
Quinta da Caldeira expressed its sincere gratitude to the Paediatrics Service at Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital for the invitation and the trust placed in the initiative.
“A special word of thanks goes to Rute Gonçalves, Director of the Paediatrics Service, and Rita Caldeira, social worker, for their commitment, availability, and collaboration throughout the planning and logistical process, which was fundamental to the success of the activity.”
The organisation also thanked “all professionals within the Paediatrics Service, doctors, nurses, operational assistants and other team members, for their warm welcome, dedication and support throughout this initiative.”
Finally, Quinta da Caldeira and CRESCER expressed their appreciation to the Board of Directors and the Clinical Management of SESARAM for their “vision, sensitivity and openness in welcoming innovative initiatives focused on the humanisation of healthcare.”
They noted that “the opportunity to provide these experiences for children and families represents an important contribution to a more integrated approach to care, aligned with practices currently being developed in numerous hospitals nationally and internationally.”
“It was a great privilege for Quinta da Caldeira to contribute to making this day a little more special for all the children and families present, reinforcing the belief that promoting well-being can often begin with simple gestures, contact with nature, and the unique bond that develops between people and animals,” they concluded.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
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