Following the success of the program with minors at the Mother-Infant Hospital, the healthcare center, part of the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), adds this initiative to improve patients' emotional well-being and experience.

The managing director, María Belén Martínez, highlighted that the expansion brings the benefits of animal-assisted interventions to new patient profiles. The project is carried out in collaboration with the company Hachiko, a pioneer in such interventions in Andalusia.

Therapy dogs Garbanzo, Rufino, Teja, and Pekas, specifically trained for healthcare settings and under veterinary supervision, participate in the sessions. These animals are part of their handlers' families, ensuring their well-being.

In the Mental Health area, sessions supervised by specialized healthcare professionals and technicians aim to foster emotional expression, improve social interaction, and reduce anxiety. At the Mother-Infant Hospital, the program continues to help decrease hospitalization stress and improve children's mood.

The Preventive Medicine and Public Health Unit has overseen the program's implementation following national and international safety protocols for animal-assisted interventions. Each dog has updated vaccination certificates, lab results, and civil liability insurance.

The program is sponsored by Maxcolchón, which finances the therapy sessions. With this expansion, Jaén University Hospital reinforces its commitment to humanizing healthcare by incorporating innovative therapeutic tools.