The Municipal Animal Protection Center of El Puerto de Santa María (Cemuproan) has recently organized a therapeutic day with dogs at Cemuproan At the San Juan Senior Center, users were able to spend time and play with various animals in a calm and controlled environment. The program, which was therapeutic and educational in nature, aimed to promote the well-being of the seniors as well as foster values of respect and care for animals. therapy with rescued dogs.
For about two hours of activityAttendees had the opportunity to pet, walk, and interact with three dogs selected for their sociable nature, in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Both the senior center and Cemuproan itself gave the experience a very positive review, noting that it also helped to bring the work of the municipal animal protection service closer to older residents.
Cemuproan’s first visit to the San Juan Senior Center
This has been the first time that Cemuproan She takes her therapy dogs to the San Juan Senior Center, although the facilities have hosted similar initiatives in the past, promoted by various animal shelters. The novelty lies in the direct participation of the municipal service, which has presented its daily work and its model of animal welfare.
The director of the senior center, Vanessa RuizShe highlighted the very positive reception and how well the activity met the emotional needs of the residents. She explained that these types of initiatives break the routine, facilitate socialization among residents, and help them to… reduce the feeling of loneliness in which many people are encouraged to share memories and anecdotes related to animals they had in the past.
From an organizational point of view, the meeting has been planned as a guided coexistence sessionThe sessions were well-structured to ensure all participants could enjoy interacting with the dogs. The center’s staff collaborated closely with the Cemuproan team, adapting the pace and activities to each senior’s physical and emotional state.
Ruiz also emphasized that, although they had already received visits from animal welfare organizations, the presence of the municipal service had allowed to learn firsthand about public service which is carried out in the area of animal welfare in the city. This educational aspect has been added to the main objective of the day, which was to offer a positive and safe experience to older people.
Those in charge of the senior center believe that these types of activities with dogs contribute to improve mood and reduce feelings of loneliness This is especially relevant for some users in residential settings. The intention is that the experience can be repeated in the future and become a regular activity within the program.
Selected dogs and deployed professional team
Three animals have been brought to the center for the activity: two puppies and one adult dog, all of them carefully chosen for their balanced temperament and their ease in interacting with strangers. The goal was to ensure a pleasant environment for both the attendees and the dogs themselves, avoiding stressful situations.
The head of adoptions at Cemuproan, Patricia DuranShe explained that the participating animals were chosen after assessing their temperament, socialization level, and ability to adapt to a new environment with many people around. These types of gatherings prioritize calm dogs that tolerate continuous physical contact and can remain composed even with varied stimuli.
Along with the animals came a The team, comprised of a veterinarian, an assistant, and a volunteer, supervised all interactions and explained to attendees how to approach the dogs respectfully. This professional presence was crucial for anticipating potential discomfort in the animals and for answering participants’ questions about care, feeding, or adoption.
During the day, the elderly were able to petting, brushing and walking The dogs were briefly shown around the designated areas, always under supervision. There were also moments of conversation in which Cemuproan staff explained details about the animals’ origin, their recovery process and the steps that are followed before they can be adopted.
In addition to the emotional component, the activity has served to spark the interest of many users of the senior center in the reality of rescued animals at the municipal service. Some of them raised questions about how to collaborate with Cemuproan, what requirements are necessary to adopt, and what support is offered during the animal’s adaptation to its new home.
Therapeutic benefits for older people
The day has had a strong therapeutic focus, since the contact with dogs is often associated It can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and encourage communication among older adults. Simply petting a calm animal can help lower tension and create a more relaxed atmosphere.
According to those in charge of the center, many older people were more participative and talkative during and after the sessionThey share memories of past pets or personal experiences related to dogs and other animals. This emotional openness fosters interaction with other residents and care staff.
In parallel, the activity has also acted as cognitive and sensory stimulationRemembering basic rules for handling animals, following the instructions of the professional team, or simply paying attention to the dogs’ movements helps keep different mental processes active. Gentle physical contact, such as petting or hugging, adds a relevant sensory component, especially for users who receive little daily affection.
The Cemuproan team has emphasized that these types of experiences are designed so that The animals do not suffer overloadalternating periods of interaction with short breaks. This also protects the well-being of the dogs, who are a central element of the therapeutic intervention and not merely a source of entertainment.
The general impression among participants has been one of satisfaction, with numerous comments about the a feeling of calm and companionship that the dogs transmitted. Several users have expressed their desire for the activity to be repeated periodically, as they consider that it helps them disconnect from daily worries and feel less alone.
Information on responsible adoption and animal protection
Beyond the emotional component, the day has had a clear aspect of Animal protection awarenessDuring the visit, Cemuproan staff took the opportunity to explain how the center works, the process for admitting the animals, and the measures taken to ensure their well-being while they wait for a family.
Special emphasis was placed on the importance of responsible adoptionThey emphasized that bringing a dog into the home involves a long-term commitment in terms of time, care, and financial resources. Although many older adults are not in a position to adopt, they can still share this message with their family and friends.
The team also addressed issues such as Sterilization to prevent unwanted littersThe need to properly identify animals with a microchip and the importance of regular veterinary visits are key aspects that help prevent abandonment and reduce the number of dogs that end up in animal shelters.
During the conversation, the importance of reporting potential situations was highlighted. mistreatment or neglect to the animals, as well as the role of municipal services in the collection, care, and rehoming of vulnerable dogs. In this way, the activity went beyond mere entertainment, reinforcing a culture of respect for animals.
Several attendees showed interest in the different forms of collaboration with Cemuproan, from the dissemination of adoption campaigns even encouraging family and friends to consider adoption over buying pets. This active participation of older adults is valued as an added benefit of the day.
Municipal commitment: zero sacrifice and animal welfare
The Deputy Mayor for the Environment, Jesús GarayHe emphasized that these types of activities allow the work of Cemuproan to be brought very directly closer to the public, especially to a group such as the elderly, who often maintain a strong emotional bond with animals.
Garay recalled that the City Council maintains a a firm commitment to zero sacrifice at the municipal animal protection center, which involves working intensively to find adoptive families and to constantly improve the living conditions and care of the animals housed there.
In this context, campaigns are a priority in boost to adoptions and increase in sterilizationsThese are two key tools for reducing abandonment and ethically controlling the dog population. The therapeutic workshop at the San Juan Senior Center is part of this comprehensive approach, combining attention to human well-being with raising awareness about animal welfare.
The Cemuproan, located on the street Francisco Cossi Ochoa, 5It has the capacity to house more than one hundred animals and features dedicated veterinary facilities for their care. From these premises, both daily care interventions and outreach and awareness activities are coordinated, including this recent experience with senior citizens.
The municipal center’s participation in social initiatives such as this therapeutic dog day reinforces its role as public reference service in the area of animal welfare within the city. At the same time, it opens the door to new collaborations with other community, educational, and healthcare resources interested in incorporating contact with animals into their programs.
Overall, the therapeutic day with dogs organized by Cemuproan at the San Juan Senior Center has demonstrated how controlled interaction between seniors and animals can benefit emotional, social and educational benefitsWhile highlighting the work of the municipal animal protection service and its commitment to responsible adoption, zero sacrifice and the continuous improvement of the welfare of the dogs in its care.
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