The Maternal and Child University Hospital of the Canary Islands has launched the ‘Friends with Paws’ project, a dog-assisted therapy for boys and girls hospitalised in the Short Stay Child and Adolescent Hospitalisation Unit.
The Maternal and Child University Hospital of the Canary Islands, part of the Insular-Maternal Child University Hospital Complex, has initiated a dog-assisted therapy programme aimed at minors admitted to the Short Stay Child and Adolescent Hospitalisation Unit. The initiative, called ‘Friends with Paws’, seeks to promote the emotional well-being and socialisation of patients during their hospital stay.
The project is in collaboration with the Happy with Noses Association, the DISA Foundation, and the Canary Therapy Association. The sessions are conducted through scheduled visits from the Therapy dogs, following a strict hospital safety protocol and with the intervention of a multidisciplinary team.
This morning, the General Director of Mental Health and Addictions of the Government of the Canary Islands, Fernando Gómez-Pamo, visited the facilities to witness the benefits of the therapy firsthand. During the tour, he was accompanied by the managing director of the Hospital Complex, José Blanco; the director of the DISA Foundation, Sara Mateos; and the director of the Happy with Noses Association, Laura Ramírez.
The dog-assisted therapy is part of the humanisation actions developed by the Hospital Complex, aligned with the Person-Centred Healthcare Strategy promoted by the Canary Health Service. The aim is to offer a more personalised care model, based on respect, empathy, and improved quality of care.
According to hospital sources, participation in the programme is voluntary and is aimed at children who are hospitalised in the unit. The sessions are designed to strengthen adaptive skills and encourage social interaction, aspects that can be affected during prolonged hospitalisation.
The Short Stay Child and Adolescent Hospitalisation Unit caters to minors with mental health disorders requiring admission. The incorporation of dogs as co-therapists aims to reduce anxiety and improve the mood of patients, thus facilitating their recovery process.
The ‘Friends with Paws’ project adds to other humanisation initiatives launched at the centre, such as the presence of hospital clowns or the adaptation of spaces to make them more welcoming. The initial response from patients and their families has been positive, according to programme officials.
From the DISA Foundation, its director Sara Mateos highlighted the importance of supporting projects that improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable patients. For her part, Laura Ramírez from the Happy with Noses Association emphasised the value of collaboration between entities to make such therapies possible.
The sessions take place in a designated area within the hospital, where the dogs, previously trained and certified, interact with the minors under the supervision of healthcare professionals and the trainers themselves. The protocol includes hygiene measures and health controls to ensure the safety of all participants.
The General Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Fernando Gómez-Pamo, noted that initiatives like this reflect the commitment of the Canary health system to comprehensive and humane care. He added that the impact of the programme will be evaluated to assess its potential extension to other units of the hospital.
The Maternal and Child Hospital of the Canary Islands, based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a regional reference centre in paediatrics and obstetrics. The launch of this dog therapy represents another step in the humanisation of healthcare for the youngest patients.
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