Brit Júlio, a charming English setter, visited the Pediatrics Service at Hospital Padre Américo, in Penafiel, providing moments of play and relaxation to the hospitalized children. During the visit, Lucas wanted to learn to communicate with the dog and, with the help of Rita Faria from the ÂNIMAS Association, managed to teach it to sit, shake paws, and perform other tricks, to the delight of the young boy and all who were watching.
The initiative is part of the existing protocol between ULS Tâmega e Sousa and ÂNIMAS – Portuguese Association for Intervention with Social Assistance Animals, which allows for the regular conduct of these visits to Pediatrics. Once a month, a team of four dogs goes to the service to provide hospitalized children with moments of interaction and closeness, helping to make the hospital stay experience lighter.
Brit Júlio's visit and the moment shared with Lucas show how the presence of animals can create moments of relaxation and joy in a context that is particularly difficult for children and their families.
