2023-04-29 10:47:25
The veterinary doctor Andrea Ríos spoke with UNO regarding the second day of zootherapy that will take place this Saturday in María Grande
Turtles, chickens, dogs and horses are the protagonists of the zootherapy space that takes place in the city of María Grande. This is an initiative presented by the veterinarian Andrea Ríos who proposes animal-assisted therapy as emotional support for patients with motor and cognitive disabilities. The work is carried out together with a group of professionals and collaborators who make up the team voluntarily and with great responsibility so that children and adults can enjoy this experience that combines well-being and health.
After the first meeting that took place on April 15, there is great expectation for the second call that will be this Saturday, April 29, coinciding with Animal Day.
To know the origin of this proposal that has the support of the Municipality of Maria Grandethrough the Secretariat of Human Development, Diario ONE spoke with the veterinarian Andrea Ríos.
“The proposal arose from my training as a veterinary doctor. During the course I had a subject called ‘Animal Assisted Therapy’, aimed at people with disabilities and the Elderly, and in her teachings the professor Dr. Stella Galván trained us to be multiplying agents and to be able to continue with these tasks in our places of origin or places of residence. I had already presented this project three years ago here in María Grande, but we did not have a place in conditions to carry it out, and this year it was given to us”, indicated the professional.
Regarding the choice of animals to accompany the activity, Ríos pointed out: “The animals chosen must meet certain characteristics in their behavior, adaptation and socialization. For example, The dogs are a Labrador retriever trained to rescue people in the water, who was raised with children since she was little, she is an animal whose breed is very sociable, they do not bark if it is not for some human need, which is very beneficial since when working with people with disabilities they might become scared or repress the therapy. The other is a French bulldog with a very special character, peaceful, she allows herself to be manipulated, they are not aggressive in the face of any contact.”
Regarding the horses, he added: “The selection of the animal took time. We currently have three, which are elderly, tame and have been working with people all their lives, that is, we were careful to control that they did not emit kicks. , nor bites, that they were with children and adults”.
Also smaller animals are part of the meeting. “The chicken is an animal I own, used to being with my children, it doesn’t peck, and it’s super trained. And the turtles belong to a friend, since they are reptiles they help us a lot to stimulate fine sensitivity, touch and perception”.
When describing what she experienced in the first meeting held 15 days ago, the veterinarian indicated: “It was very intense, it was lived on the surface, since I am the only one who had experience with people with disabilities, it was quite a challenge to be able to go giving instructions little by little to each of the volunteers and collaborators, but we were able to observe a very good evolution in several therapy patients, who were encouraged to overcome their fears of different animals, with touch, accompaniment, walks and games with each species. We also carry out motor skills, perception and touch activities together with a kinesiologist, occupational therapists and other people from the team”.
In addition, he reiterated the invitation for this April 29 to enjoy nature and human-animal contact that seeks to improve the emotional quality and safety of people who need it.
“This Saturday will be the second meeting, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We already have the quota of exhausted people, more than 20 of different ages registered, from children of 3 and 4 years old to men of 44 and 49 years old. Thanks to the support that we The municipality provides educational materials and patient insurance, to the group that we are made up of professionals and volunteers and to my family that accompanies me and participates in the therapy, both my husband and the veterinary professional and my children who handle my puppies, it was It is possible to start this dream of being able to provide assistance to people who may not be able to communicate verbally, but do so through animals. We see gratitude reflected in their expressions, their looks, their smiles, all of that comforts the soul of the entire team”, described the vet.
a special date
Since 1908, every April 29 is celebrated in Argentina on Animal Day. The date was proposed by Dr. Ignacio Lucas Albarracín, founder of the Society for the Protection of Animals and precursor of the National Law for the Protection of Animals (No. 2786). This regulation, promulgated in 1891, expressed for the first time in the country the obligation to provide protection to animals, preventing their mistreatment and hunting.
Albarracín was born in the city of Córdoba on July 31, 1850. He studied law, but was not remembered for his career as a lawyer, but rather for his fierce defense of animals.
Throughout his life, he was secretary of the Argentine Society for the Protection of Animals from its inception, in 1879. Later, he succeeded Domingo Faustino Sarmiento as president of the institution in 1885. Albarracín fought for the end of cockfights, the taming of colts, bullfights and pigeon shooting, sports that were practiced at that time.
In addition, Albarracín promoted the National Law for the Protection of Animals (No. 2,786), which was promulgated on July 25, 1891 and was a pioneer of its kind. The development, headed by the Cordovan lawyer, was the legal basis that, some time later, was incorporated by the International League for Animal Rights (1977) and the UN.
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