The Regional Directorate of Livestock and Animal Welfare is implementing Animal-Assisted Interventions within the scope of the One Health Movement, which highlights the link between human, animal, and environmental health.
The initiative is based on the idea that the well-being of people and animals is interconnected; it is not possible to dissociate the benefits of one from the other. Thus, the programme intends to promote interventions that strengthen this relationship, contributing to the improvement of health, inclusion, and quality of life.
The Animal-Assisted interventions are multidisciplinary in nature, consist of actions that integrate animals with defined objectives in the areas of health, education, and social support, and can also take on a playful and recreational aspect.
With benefits proven for human well-being, these interventions have been promoted by the Regional Directorate of Livestock and Animal Welfare, which seeks to extend its reach to different audiences in the Region with special attention to the elderly population.
The Social and Parish Centre of Encarnação, in Vargem, in Câmara de Lobos, recently hosted one of these activities, through its certified superior technicians in Therapies Assisted by Animals, using the support of dogs in a group of 10 people, promoting moments of interaction with a positive impact on the well-being of the participants.
Before the course starts, participants are made aware of the care to be taken with animals during the session to ensure the safety and well-being of all those present, including the animals involved.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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