Cœur sur la Patte

Founded in 2004, Cœur sur la Patte is a non-profit association based in Douai, France working on health, mental health, elderly care +3 more.

Cœur sur la Patte is an association under the French 1901 law, recognised as being in the general interest since 2007. Based in Douai, it provides animal-assisted mediation and zootherapy in the Hauts-de-France region. Volunteers and their trained dogs and cats visit healthcare establishments, nursing homes, psychiatric and paediatric units, facilities for people with disabilities, palliative and oncology care services, and special-needs schools. The association also runs reading sessions in which children read aloud with a dog. Its approach aims to reduce isolation, ease anxiety, support communication, mobility and cognitive stimulation, and bring comfort to patients, carers and staff. Animals are assessed by a behavioural veterinarian, and each intervention is set up under a contract with the host establishment and authorised by the departmental veterinary services (DDPP) and the prefecture. The association states that animal-assisted mediation is not a medical treatment and does not replace care by health professionals. It reports operating in around 57 establishments across the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Somme départements, with about 80 trained dogs and cats. It states that it is a pioneer of animal mediation in France, active for more than 20 years.