Canine therapy
In 2007 a canine therapy team with Sardy, a golden retriever, visited our patients. The project continued in 2008 thanks to a grant from VÚB banka.
Canine therapy – a form of animal-assisted therapy – uses the positive effect of a dog on a person's physical, mental and social well-being. It is used as a supporting psychotherapeutic method in situations where other methods cannot be used or are not effective. It focuses on psychological, emotional and social-integration problems. Its effect on physical health is secondary, but it motivates children to take part in rehabilitation and, through its psychological effect, supports the immune system.
The Specialised Children's Rehabilitation Hospital used a guided form of canine therapy, which means a therapist visited our patients together with a dog. In 2007 we were visited by a canine therapy team made up of Mgr. Ing. Jana Kožiková (certified dog handler) and Sardy, a golden retriever (certified therapy dog). They visited patients with cerebral palsy (CP), and Sardy became both a friend to the children and a motivation to move and take part in rehabilitation. He brought new stimuli and variety into their lives and took their minds off their own problems. Canine therapy teaches children with CP responsibility and empathy.
Canine therapy at the Specialised Children's Rehabilitation Hospital continued in 2008 thanks to Darujme deťom nádej, which obtained a grant from VÚB banka to continue the project.
