We aim to improve the mental health and social inclusion of vulnerable adolescents through Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), increase school attendance and social engagement, and enhance the c...

We aim to improve the mental health and social inclusion of vulnerable adolescents through Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), increase school attendance and social engagement, and enhance the capacity of youth workers and volunteers to support these adolescents effectively. By providing innovative, non-traditional therapeutic embodied educational methods, we seek to reduce isolation, foster social skills, and build a supportive environment for better educational and social outcomes

We will implement activities including the development of a training curriculum for professionals and volunteers, stakeholder consultations, pilot testing of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), and creating a digital platform for sharing best practices and resources. Additionally, we will organize workshops and dissemination events to promote the project outcomes and ensure broad accessibility and sustainability.

We expect our project to deliver a validated training curriculum for Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), documented best practices, and an accessible digital platform. These outcomes will enhance the skills of professionals and volunteers, support the mental health and educational engagement of vulnerable adolescents, and provide sustainable resources that can be used across different educational and therapeutic settings.