The presence of therapy dogs in pediatric hospitals It is becoming established as another tool within healthcare humanization programs in Europe. More and more centers are incorporating these interventions to alleviate the anxiety of hospitalized children and support them through medical processes that are inherently difficult for both them and their families.
In countries like Portugal and Spain There are already established projects integrating specially trained dogs into Pediatric, Pediatric Surgery, and Pediatric Oncology units. These initiatives, developed in collaboration with specialized entities and under strict security protocolsThey seek something seemingly simple but with enormous impact: that hospitalized children feel less alone, calmer and eager to participate in their own recovery.
Established programs in Portuguese hospitals
In PortugalOne of the leading organizations in this field is the Ânimas association, a non-profit organization specializing in animal-assisted interventions with dogs in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Thanks to the support of private corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as the Dejemos Huella program by Elanco Animal Health, the association has been able to consolidate and expand its work in the healthcare sector.
Currently, Ânimas is developing Animal-assisted interventions in 22 Portuguese hospitalsreaching more than 66.000 beneficiaries each year, including patients, family members, and professionals. These are structured programs, designed in collaboration with clinical teams, in which each session pursues specific emotional, social, or therapeutic objectives.
One of the most emblematic examples is that of Dona EstefanÃa Hospital of Lisbon, specializing in pediatric care. There, the hospitalized children receive weekly visits from Nairobi, a six-year-old Labrador, accompanied by her tutor and psychologist, Inês Chambel. These sessions combine games, cuddles, short guided exercises, and conversation in a less stressful environment than usual.
According to the experience accumulated by the teams of Ânimas, the Visits from dogs reduce stress levels Among children, these tests improve their mood and promote social interaction, especially in patients who are more withdrawn or fearful of medical procedures. This positive effect is not limited to children: It extends to their families and healthcare staff.who perceive a more relaxed and humane atmosphere in the units where the activities take place.
In addition to its work in pediatric hospitals, the association has been training for more than two decades assistance dogs and developing programs These programs are designed for people with disabilities, including children with autism, deafness, neuromuscular diseases, or mental health disorders. All of this expertise is then applied in hospital settings, where sessions are always planned in coordination with healthcare professionals.
The role of corporate social responsibility
The promotion of these therapies in European pediatric hospitals is also linked to the commitment of certain companies in the animal sector. Elanco Animal HealthThrough its corporate social responsibility program 'Let's Leave a Mark', it has for years supported projects focused on the human-animal bond and the positive impact that animals can have on people's health and well-being.
In the case of Ânimas, this support translates into resources to sustain and expand sessions In healthcare settings, these collaborations enable thousands of vulnerable patients to access canine therapy programs. For the company, these partnerships allow them to connect their work in animal health with initiatives that directly impact human well-being.
Alejandra González, head of the Dejamos Huella program at Iberia, emphasized that these sessions serve as a reminder of why Animals can have such a profound influence on emotional state of people. A therapy dog, properly trained, is able to transform the mood of a hospitalized child in a very short time, generating a small window of normality and joy in the midst of a complex clinical process.
The 'Let's Leave a Mark' program has a history of more than 25 years promoting initiatives linked to responsible adoption, abandonment prevention, and animal-assisted interventions. Furthermore, it recognizes and gives visibility to the work of other service dogs, such as those dedicated to rescue or those that collaborate with law enforcement, reinforcing the idea that the relationship between people and animals goes far beyond simple companionship.
This approach to social responsibility contributes to the canine therapy in pediatric hospitals It should not remain isolated initiatives, but rather be integrated into stable projects, with evaluation of results and real coordination with the humanization plans of the different health systems.
Experiences in pediatric hospitals in Spain
En SpainCanine therapy is also beginning to gain traction in several public hospitals, especially in those autonomous communities that have committed to programs aimed at humanizing healthcare. A recent example is that of the University Hospital of Jaén, where a specific project for the Mother and Child Center has been launched.
In this Andalusian hospital, the stars of the sessions are Garbanzo, Rufino, Teja, and Pekas, four dogs trained to work in healthcare settings. Far from being simple pets that visit children, they are therapy dogs trained to intervene in complex clinical contexts and that strictly comply with all the requirements of Preventive Medicine and the required veterinary controls.
The managing director of the University Hospital of Jaén, MarÃa Belén MartÃnez, has described the program as an initiative of humanization of healthcare aimed at improving the emotional state of hospitalized children. The goal is to reduce the stress associated with tests, admissions, or surgical procedures, and, as far as possible, promote their recovery through guided interaction with these dogs.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with the company Hachiko, a pioneer in dog-assisted interventions in Andalusian hospitals Since 2019 and present in centers in Malaga, Granada and Jaen. Thanks to this previous experience, the Jaen program has been able to be designed with a clear structure, differentiating various types of interventions according to the needs of the patients.
Behind the implementation of the program there is a multidisciplinary team of the hospital which has been working on its design for over a year. This group includes professionals from various fields, from Pediatrics and Nursing to Psychology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Preventive Medicine. Their coordination is key to determining which children can participate, what objectives are pursued in each case, and how the sessions are integrated into the hospital's daily routine.
How are therapy dog ​​sessions organized?
At the Jaén Maternal and Child Center, therapy dog ​​sessions last approximately 45 minutes and are held weekly in different areas of the hospital. These are not impromptu visits, but rather scheduled interventions coordinated with healthcare staff to fit into the routine care without interfering with tests, treatments, or rest periods.
In the plants of Pediatrics and Pediatric SurgeryThe dogs visit children who are about to undergo surgery or who are already in recovery. Through adapted games, simple activities, and moments of affectionate contact, the aim is to help the children face the operating room with less fear or experience their post-operative period with a more positive attitude.
The team also operates in the area of Pediatric Oncologywhere the sessions are integrated into the patients' therapeutic plan whenever clinicians deem it appropriate. Here, the intervention with the dogs not only serves a recreational purpose, but also aligns with physical or functional rehabilitation goals, defined in conjunction with the hospital's physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
According to those in charge of the program, the presence of the animals helps the children get more involved in exercises which might otherwise be strenuous or painful for them. For example, stretching an arm, getting out of bed, or walking a few meters down the hallway can become a shared challenge with the dog, reducing resistance to exertion and improving adherence to rehabilitation.
Beyond the physical benefits, the emotional component is also significant. Many children find in these dogs a stable support figure during admissionThis helps reduce fear of the hospital, encourages the expression of emotions, and strengthens the bond with the professionals who participate in the sessions.
Safety and protocols in canine hospital therapies
One of the most concerning aspects when discussing the introduction of animals into a pediatric hospital is the health securityIn both the Portuguese projects and the one at the University Hospital of Jaén, the interventions are designed following national and international protocols to minimize any risk to the children admitted.
In the case of the Jaén center, the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Unit has overseen the implementation of the program from the beginning. Each participating dog has up-to-date vaccination certificates, current blood tests, and liability insurance, in addition to regular veterinary checkups that guarantee its suitability for working in hospital environments.
The teams of professionals who work with the animals, such as the staff at Hachiko, also follow specific preventative measures. These include: flu vaccination and other health requirements that are considered necessary to protect immunocompromised or especially vulnerable patients, as occurs in pediatric oncology.
These health guarantees are in addition to the training of the dogs, which are selected for their balanced temperament, adaptabilitystress tolerance and the knowledge to identify the symptoms of anxiety in dogsBefore entering a hospital, they go through a training process in which the animals are accustomed to noise, the presence of medical equipment and unusual situations, so that they can respond calmly and without alarm.
In this way, canine therapy programs in pediatric hospitals manage to integrate the emotional and therapeutic benefit The presence of animals, combined with the safety requirements of the hospital environment, makes it possible for more children to benefit from these interventions without compromising their health.
The expansion of canine therapy in European pediatric hospitals, with examples such as those in Portugal and Spain, shows how the bond between humans and animals can be responsibly and systematically incorporated into healthcare. When there is coordination between specialized associations, committed companies and clinical teamsThese programs become a useful tool to improve the hospitalization experience, strengthen the emotional well-being of children, and support, from a different perspective, the medical treatments they receive.