The Foundation
We believe in a bond that transforms the world
We believe that a world with dogs and cats is a better place thanks to the transformative power of the human-animal bond.
A bond that enriches the experience of dogs, cats and pet-parents. A bond that often has a profoundly positive impact on people’s mental health, helping to improve society as a whole.
The unique relationship we form with our pets makes us feel good. It is a relationship that enriches us; it stimulates resilience, communication with others and empathy. It strengthens the social fabric as it promotes healthier relationships.
At our Foundation we know the value of this bond and its benefits for society as a whole. We have spent years raising awareness about these benefits, researching them and putting them into practice with therapy programmes.
We work every day to improve the lives of animals and people.
Social Action
Awareness-raising
Research
Bond
We research
Research is the best way to shed light on animals’ problems and the benefits they bring us. That’s why we formed the first research group to investigate our bond with animals in Spain, the Affinity Animals and Health Research Group at the Universidad Autónoma in Barcelona, and also the Affinity Foundation Observatory to disseminate our knowledge.
We take action
If it’s not family dogs, it’s therapy dogs. We have spent over 25 years applying the benefits of this bond through our Social Action projects as well as Therapies and Education Assisted by Companion Animals to help people with motivational issues feel better and take action.
We raise awareness
Our campaigns are designed to encourage reflection. We want to disseminate the benefits of our bond, make the unseen visible and raise awareness about the responsible care of dogs and cats. By working together, we make things easier.
Who we are
We are experts in our field. We have an entrepreneurial mindset. We are pioneers in research, awareness-raising and social action with animals. We are curious. We never stop researching and learning. We believe in respect for animals and people. We are committed to our work: research, taking action and raising awareness. We are optimists and believe that our work can change society for the better.
Our impact
Pioneers in introducing animal therapies
in Spain: in prisons, hospitals, residential homes, schools, etc.
Over 100,000 beneficiaries
of our animal-assisted therapy programmes since 1992
First anti-abandonment campaign
“He wouldn’t do it to you. Don’t abandon him”
Annual abandonment study
since 1995
+700 real stories about the bond
on our website. Inspiring testimonies that pay homage to our dogs and cats.
Animals are not Things
A campaign that publicised the change in the law in partnership with the Animal Justice and Defence Observatory
Primer grupo investigador
sobre el vínculo desde 2011: La Cátedra Fundación Affinity Animales y Salud
+30 years
conducting annual awareness-raising campaigns
References in the media
to issues of responsible cohabitation, abandonment and to the human-animal bond
Government bodies
Patronage
Carolina Usandizaga Carulla, President
Lluís Carulla Ruiz, Vice-President
Francisco Gispert Ribera, Secretary
Beatriz Ferrer-Salat Serra de Migni, Spokesperson
Celina Torres Lloveras, Spokesperson
Cristina García-Orcoyen Tormo, Spokesperson
Francesc Blanch Martell, Spokesperson
Josep Campmany Sallas, Spokesperson
Josep Maria Solé Gracia, Spokesperson
Juan Martín, Spokesperson
Juanjo Sáez-Torres, Spokesperson
Lluís Miguel Ferrer Caubet, Spokesperson
Magdalena Oranich i Sologran, Spokesperson
Marc Jové Gestí, Spokesperson
Miquel Ángel Roca Bennassar, Spokesperson
History
1987
Our Foundation was established to address the serious problem of animal abandonment in Spain.
1988
We ran the first anti-abandonment campaign in Spain “He wouldn’t do it to you. Don’t abandon him”, a timely symbol of the fight for animal wellbeing.
1991
We introduced animal-assisted therapies to Spain, organising the first “Companion animals, a source of health” International Congress.
1992
The first animal-assisted therapies programme in nursing homes in Palma de Mallorca.
1993
The first animal-assisted therapies programme in prisons to support social rehabilitation and integration. Quatre Camins Centre, Barcelona.
1994
The first animal-assisted therapies programme in mental healthcare centres.
1995
The first edition of the “He wouldn’t do it” abandonment study in Spain.
2008
Agreement with prisons to extend the “Opening Doors” programme throughout the country, with 23 participating centres.
2009
Therapist training collaborations put into place with Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Red Cross University School and Seville University.
2010
100 schools in Madrid and Barcelona participate in our educational programme “Another member of the family”.
2011
Creation of the TV programme “More than dogs and cats” to promote healthy bonds with animals. 28 episodes broadcast over the course of several years on TVE2.
2011
UAB’s Animals and Health Affinity Foundation research group formed in order to study and disseminate the benefits of the human-animal bond in collaboration with the Parc de Salut Mar health-park.
2013
The first Scientific Analysis of the Bond between people and animals was carried out in order to understand the dynamics of the bond and the benefits it provides.
2014
Agreement with the Generalitat de Catalunya (DGAIA) to implement the “Buddies” therapy programme targeting children in care in various centres.
2015
We researched the bond between children and animals with the “Together, we grow better” project, in which 4,200 children participated.
2016
We spent the year researching the human-cat bond and disseminated its benefits in our “7 lives with you” project.
2017
To coincide with our 30th birthday, we made our first foray into France.
2017
The start of the “Respect me” therapy programme to promote respect in class at Lleó XVIII school.
2017
Under the hashtag #AnimalesNoSonCosas (Animals are not Things), we worked with the Animal Justice and Defence Observatory to raise awareness about a change in the law that means animals are considered as living beings and not objects.
2018
We dedicated the year to understanding the power of animal-assisted therapies, with the “Animals who cure” campaign.
2018
We launched four therapy programmes in France in collaboration with expert partners.
2019
We undertook a study in 10 prisons to see the benefits of animal therapy.
2020
We ran “8 months in lockdown”, a campaign to raise awareness of the impact of the pandemic in animal shelters.
2020
We carried out the first pandemic study “Together at home” about the role of pets in difficult situations.
2021
Our #AnimalesNoSonCosas (Animals are not Things) campaign achieves its objective: pets are recognised as sentient beings under Spanish law.
2021
We commenced a partnership with Sagrat Cor Hospital to launch the “Together + Strong” programme for frail patients.
2022
We created the #Inseparables Campaign in collaboration with Atresmedia to raise awareness of aspects of the bond.
2022
We started the Huscan therapy programme in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya to support young victims of sexual violence.
2023
We signed an agreement with Hospital del Mar to implement the UCI therapy programme “Therapeutic animals”.
2023
Partnership in France with SPA and Ultima to promote adoption and to conduct the first study on Abandonment and Adoption in France.
2024
The “Respect me” therapy programme grows with the inclusion of the Carrasco Formiguera Institute in Barcelona.
Activity reports
Memoria de Actividades 2023
Do you want to work with us?
I am a researcher and want to know more about the Affinity Foundation Research Group
I am a pet lover and want to share the story of my bond with my dog or cat to inspire others
I love animals and want to get involved in your awareness-raising work
I am a communications professional and want to disseminate your knowledge
Collaborators
