Animal Assisted Interventions
With the National Guidelines published in March 2015, the Ministry of Health defined and regulated Animal Assisted Interventions (IAA), effectively recognizing their therapeutic (TAA), educational (EAA) and recreational-recreational value (AAA).
Il Rifugio degli Asinelli has been involved in AAA since 2009, involving a group of donkeys specially trained to interact with vulnerable and non-vulnerable people, making use of the mediation of specifically trained operators.
The AAAs are intended as support activities, integrating a broader therapeutic program, aimed at people with physical and mental disorders, with the aim of developing skills through animal care, increasing relational and communicative availability, stimulating motivation and participation.
Thanks to the natural aptitude of donkeys, this activity has particular benefits in the relational and emotional area.
In fact, donkeys are usually natural facilitators of relationships thanks to some of their physical and behavioral characteristics: usually small size, neotenic appearance, slow gait, curiosity, sociability, prudence, soft fur. Each donkey, then, usually has a strong character, matured thanks to its own experience and natural inclinations, an attitude that appears in the different ways of seeking attention and contact with people. The donkey has an innate curiosity for everything it doesn't know and, after a moment of study, it will be the one to approach the object of its interest, often breaking down the walls of defense and distrust erected around it by people.
We currently have three ongoing projects underway at the Foundation's headquarters in Sala Biellese, and several temporary projects involving schools and the public.
The training of “therapeutic” donkeys
Not all donkeys are suited to being involved in activities. To choose the suitable ones we evaluated various factors, including good health, strong predisposition for human contact, curiosity and docility.
This first screening was then followed by a long period of preparation which concluded with the final evaluation by the veterinary expert in IAA.
There are around ten donkeys that meet these requirements and have been selected from over 100 resident animals.
Their preparation, which always takes place in full respect of their nature and their learning times, is continuous.
We are also committed to keeping the IAA sessions interesting and rewarding, so as to stimulate the donkeys' attention, their curiosity and their extraordinary intelligence.
