The final event, which took place yesterday morning in the garden of the “Don Saverio Bavaro-Marconi” comprehensive school in Giovinazzo, was attended by around a hundred boys and girls, together with mothers, fathers, teachers and the acting general director of the ASL Bari, Luigi Fruscio. Who underlined, in thanking the ASL professionals and parents for their commitment and participation, «the beauty of a project that allows the health company to carry out “health education” directly in schools, teaching the little ones to come into contact with animals, dogs in particular, without fear but exploiting their natural empathy to increase and strengthen self-esteem and trust, at the same time developing fundamental skills for balanced growth.”
Learning while having fun, thanks to Bettina, a cross between pinscher and chihuahua, and the golden retriever Evee, who attracted the attention of the young students and facilitated, together with the veterinarians and dog educators Giuseppina Sarcina and Roberto Iacoviello, the work of the team of specialists of the ASL led by Maria Grazia Forte, scientific manager of the project and coordinator of the Interinstitutional Business Group (GIA) ASL Bari. At her side, Dr. Caterina Spinelli, director of the SIAN Northern Area, Dr. Pasquale Pedote regional coordinator of the Interinstitutional Technical Group (GTI) and a working group with the necessary skills: the veterinarian Daniela Scorrano (Siav B Area Nord), the psychiatrist Maria Lorusso (CSM Area 2 DSM) and the health assistant Carmela Nanula ( Sian Area North).
All committed to translating the experimental project, which is part of the Health Promotion in School Catalog of the Puglia Region 2023-2024, into a field activity aimed at training 40 teachers, making multimedia teaching materials available to be shown in class and, therefore, carry out recreational-recreational meetings with the animal for groups of children under the careful guidance of qualified personnel (veterinarians, dog educators), based on correct awareness of the dog through anatomical and behavioral knowledge.
The response from the little ones was exciting, as the presence of an animal in the classroom created a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, promoting the reduction of stress, anxiety and aggression. The educational approach of the “Pet Education” project has given rise to new emotions, alternative ways of communicating and stimulated new interests in children, as well as guiding them in the manual creation of their own pet or in taking care of stuffed or real animals (fish red, caterpillar, canary). Furthermore, the work carried out by the children in groups, with the common objective of caring for the animal and learning about it, made it possible to improve the sense of belonging and cooperation, even for those who have more difficulty interacting. Just as, for children with specific learning disabilities (DSA), Pet Therapy can represent a valid support for improving school performance.
A further demonstration of the educational value of “Pet Education” and its effectiveness in terms of promoting psycho-physical well-being in children, stimulating curiosity and knowledge, as well as the ability to socialize through experimenting with new communication methods, it makes no difference whether the person in front of you speaks, smiles, gesticulates or… barks.
