Mental disorders
In 1994, the Affinity Foundation started up a PATE programme with children suffering from behaviour disorders in Getafe (Madrid). Since then the following programmes have been started up:
- Programmes for autistic children
- Programmes for severely mentally disabled people
- Programmes for mentally disordered people
The potential benefits to be drawn from the interaction between pets and mentally disordered people are:
- There are no more self-inflicted wounds
- Eye contact becomes possible again
- A relationship with the animal is established
- There is a better interaction between patient and therapist
- The patients’ self-esteem improves
- They become more cheerful
- They learn how to look after the animal and train him to obey
