# 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](https://www.tetis.sk/) 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](https://www.tetis.sk/) continued in 2008 thanks to Darujme deťom nádej, which obtained a grant from VÚB banka to continue the project.**

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Source: https://www.darujmedetomnadej.sk/en/projects/canine-therapy