Patients find help with therapy donkeys at psychiatric hospital near Paris
The program uses five donkeys to help patients build confidence, reduce loneliness and improve emotional regulation, staff said.
- At the Ville-Evrard hospital complex in Neuilly-sur-Marne, patients with mental health conditions are recovering through therapy donkeys housed in 19th-century farm buildings outside Paris.
- Ermelinda Hadey, a psychiatric nurse, and her husband, François Hadey, launched the program in 2016 after recognizing animal therapy benefits; many donkeys were adopted from shelters.
- During a session on Friday, participants cared for animals like Nono and Pitou through grooming and walking. Nathalie, a 60-year-old patient, called it "animal medicine," saying it helps her break away from treatment routines.
- Audrey Seffar, a nurse at the unit, noted the animals serve as mediators, helping patients regain confidence. Patient Jerome said the program reduces loneliness by encouraging social interaction and activities he would not normally attempt.
- Since 2022, the program has held official status as a healthcare unit funded by France's public health system. Hadey noted that further scientific evaluation is required for broader psychiatric acceptance.
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31 Articles
A French psychiatric hospital is introducing an innovative therapeutic approach where patients with mental disorders gain confidence and alleviate distress in the recovery process through contact with donkeys.
'Animal medicine': Therapy donkeys help patients at French psychiatric hospital
Patients staying in a psychiatric hospital near Paris have been singing the praises of a novel treatment: spending time with therapy donkeys. Experts and patients say caring for the animals, which are known for their calm and social nature, helps improve emotional regulation, communication, social interaction and self-esteem.
Therapy Donkeys Aid Mental Health Recovery Near Paris
A psychiatric hospital near Paris uses therapy donkeys to aid patient recovery. This innovative approach, part of France's public health system, allows patients to interact with donkeys and other animals, offering relief from routine treatments and boosting mental well-being.
Donkey-assisted therapy is helping patients with mental health disorders recover at a psychiatric hospital unit outside Paris that is unique in France. The 19th-century farm buildings and wooded surroundings provide a sanctuary within the Ville-Evrard hospital complex in Neuilly-sur-Marne. On Friday, patients took the five donkeys for walks and cared for them. Some safely lifted their hooves to remove dirt. Many ended the session with a hug. The…
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