Syracuse, animal-assisted intervention: training meeting at Vittorini

The VIII Vittorini Comprehensive Institute of Syracuse includes in its training offer an assisted intervention project with animals, specifically with the horse, and educational excursions for nursery schools in the Siracusana SSD aRL riding school

In addition to the educational outings, on April 12th, in the school auditorium, in the presence of the head teacher Pinella Giuffrida, teachers, parents and students participated in a moment of information and training on the benefits of animal-assisted interventions. Dr. Antonella Leone, certified by the Ministry of Health in Digital Pet, chaired the meeting and brought to the attention of those present how an animal like the horse can bring well-being into the lives of men. The meeting saw the remote participation of Gianluca Paratore – president of CREANIRE Equitando Health and Sport ETS – the professor, who brought his own contribution and specified the therapeutic, rehabilitative and educational value of the IAA, furthermore he specified that the Ars it is proposed to legislate on IAA and that a bill has been presented in the health commission, awaiting the subsequent discussion in the chamber.

The interventions are aimed mainly at people with physical, neuromotor, mental, psychological disorders, victims of bullying, people suffering from sensory deficits and more, but they can be addressed to everyone.

On 13 April 2024, demonstration and recreational activities were held at the Siracusana Horse Riding SSD in RL in Syracuse, the students, parents and teachers present were able to experience the positive emotions that are generated in the relationship with the horse. Dr. Leone and the instructors of the association allowed those present to put into practice what they heard during the information meeting.

Starting from May, the Elio Vittorini Institute will launch the project and offer Animal Assisted Intervention lessons to students with disabilities. The expected result for the educational institution, in addition to the expansion of the PTOF training offer, will be the promotion of the well-being and inclusion of its students.