Today, the project “Kanis-therapy” for children with severe psychophysical impairments has been resumed at the Center for Emergency Response.
Every year, from the beginning of September to the end of May, Diema’s Dream Fund organizes classes for children with therapists as well as dog ‘therapists’. It is important to know that having paws, a tail and friendly demeanour does not automatically make the animal qualified to become a therapist. Not every dog can cope with such an intense work load, react calmly in a situation of miscommunication with our children and be disciplined enough to follow exclusively only the instructors commands and not be distracted otherwise.
There are special requirements for a dog to be officially recognized as a dog therapist in the world of psychotherapy. For example, it must be a special breed of dog, and then once carefully chosen it must undergo training for a long time according to dog therapy programmes.
Diema’s Dream Fund has been lucky to co-operate with some of the most experienced and educated specialists of their field. We are particularly pleased with the results of children as today as it was clear the children were impatient to be reunited with dogs as quickly as possible after a long summer break, the connection they had with one another being very visible to all.
In total, over 19 children received help from fluffy therapists at the Trust Center. However, it was not only the children who were helped by their furry companions but the specialists themselves are no different and also appreciate the gentle manner of the dogs. It appears to be no one is immune to the therapy dogs’s warm approach.
Lastly Diema’s Dream Fund would like to give its gratitude towards White & Case as their donation is the only reason why the the Kanis project was able to continue its work. We are incredibly grateful and hope the steady progress of the children continues to please everyone.