Associació Catalana de Zooterapia
Animal-assisted therapy
With Ana Güimil and the Zooterapias team.
People, organisations and professionals
Who is it for?
The association began by supporting people with intellectual disabilities and older adults. Its experience also includes projects in mental health, childhood autism and support for women and children who have experienced gender-based violence.
Activities are adapted to each person and the organisation’s goals, with the animal’s wellbeing taken into account.
Goals tailored to each intervention
The benefits of animal-assisted therapy
Empathy
Recognising and respecting an animal’s needs through its body language.
Outward focus
Sharing a focus of attention that supports activities and conversation.
Social interaction
Practising turn-taking, collaboration and communication in a shared setting.
Mental stimulation
Offering tasks involving attention, memory and recalling experiences.
Physical contact
Exploring guided contact while respecting the comfort of both person and animal.
Motor skills
Working on fine and gross motor skills through adapted activities.
Acceptance
Providing a space for participation with less social pressure.
Enjoyment
Bringing variety to routines through observation and activities.
Relationships
Supporting conversation and connections between participants and professionals.
Meet Ana Güimil
Mis animales de terapia
Five stories from her work in animal-assisted therapy. Ana Güimil, co-founder of the association and director of training, shares her experience of working with animals.
Image from the Peludos / La Vanguardia publication.
Our story
The association, since 2009
Ana Güimil and Ave Torras began training assistance dogs in 2004 and studied at the Institut Français de Zoothérapie. They founded the Associació Catalana de Zooterapia in 2009. Ana continued her studies with a master’s degree in Clinical Veterinary Ethology at the UAB.
The association’s published history includes collaboration with the Affinity Foundation Chair, A. Barbado’s work on childhood autism and projects with psychologist Rosa Cirac related to gender-based violence. In-person and online training shares the team’s approach.
Therapies · Training · Collaboration
How can we help?
Tell us what you need, whether you are looking for an intervention for your organisation, training or a possible collaboration. The Zooterapias team will explain the services and options available.