The pet therapy project supported by the Cassoli Group to improve well-being in the hospital was presented.

 THE SOLIDARITY INITIATIVE

For the first time, pet therapy arrives in the wards of the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute of Bologna, thanks to the initiative of AGITO, the Association of Parents Together with Bone Tumors, which has started a collaboration with the ChiaraMilla amateur sports association, with the support of the Cassoli Group which confirms its commitment to supporting local organizations active in the social sector.

In fact, the project “Milly’s company: DOGtor in the Rizzoli ward” was presented on Friday 10 January at the Rizzoli in Bologna, an initiative dedicated to young people hospitalized in the facility’s oncology department.

The Cassoli Group has decided to finance the first three months of this initiative. The company’s contribution will allow us to start a project that will make a difference in the lives of many people, demonstrating how collaboration between companies, associations and healthcare institutions can generate a concrete and lasting positive impact.

The project, promoted by AGITO, was born from the awareness gained by the volunteers, who experienced firsthand the difficulties of the treatment process. The aim is to offer therapeutic and psychological support through pet therapy, which has proven effective in improving mood, reducing anxiety and alleviating the sense of isolation often felt by patients in hospital.

THE PROJECT AND WHO IS AGITO

At the Rizzoli Institute, an animal-assisted education (EAA) project will be launched, aimed at oncology patients hospitalized in the spinal surgery department. The project will last one year with weekly meetings, involving children, adults and bedridden patients. The dogs, trained and guided by specialized operators, will carry out targeted activities such as grooming, brushing, playing games and teaching basic commands. These interactions will not only distract patients from pain, but will offer emotional comfort, promoting relaxation, improved mood and self-esteem. Pet therapy will allow patients to establish a relationship with animals, mediators of emotions and moods, thanks to their non-judgmental nature. Through contact with dogs, patients will be able to develop communication skills, empathy and a greater sense of calm and control, benefiting from a therapeutic experience capable of diverting attention from problems and improving the quality of their stay in hospital.

AGITO, the Association of Parents Together with Bone Tumors, is a volunteer organization founded in 2019 and affiliated with the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute. Made up of parents of children affected by bone sarcoma, the association works to raise awareness of oncological diseases, support clinical research and improve the quality of life of patients. During the treatment process, many parents have seen the benefits of the company of a pet, discovering how much animals can alleviate stress and pain. For this reason, AGITO promotes initiatives such as pet therapy in the oncological orthopedic surgery departments, dedicated to patients of all ages from all over Italy, also involving disabled pet operators to offer empathic and psychological support. The association, which has become a fundamental interlocutor for the needs of patients and family members, supports other projects such as the psychology service in the Osteoncology department, ceramics and art therapy workshops, and initiatives to support research.