The earliest human domesticated animal is the dog. Already in the State of the Sumerian and Egyptian deities worshiped presented with the dog's head or in the company of a dog. The ancient Greeks quickly discovered the healing properties of
dog saliva, and they kept dogs at their temples for this purpose. Both the Greeks and the Romans knew the health-promoting properties of horse riding and swimming together with dolphins. In later periods, the positive impact of contact
with animals on mentally ill people, suffering from epilepsy or depressive states was appreciated more and more.
Contact therapies with the participation of animals have a multilateral impact on the human body, both in the
physical and mental sphere, additionally having educational and motivational functions. So far, no rehabilitation equipment has been invented that could have such a varied effect on patients of all ages while encouraging them to exercise
and making them enjoyable. And the willing cooperation of the patient with the therapist often determines the positive result of rehabilitation.
In affective disorders, zootherapy reduces anxiety and improves mood, in schizophrenia
- reduces negative symptoms, improves emotional reactions and reduces anxiety symptoms. In the elderly, as a result of interaction with animals, a reduction in irritability, better functioning in the group, improvement of the care for
satisfying one's own needs, as well as reduction of anxiety symptoms and improvement of cognitive functions were obtained. Zootherapy also has a positive effect on somatic health - it reduces blood pressure and resting heart rate, improves
the lipid profile, and reduces the concentration of glucocorticosteroids in the blood serum. All changes resulting from contact with animals lead to an improvement in the quality of life.
In Poland, we have been dealing with
the problem of animal homelessness for many years. The number of abandoned dogs increases every year. Moreover, according to the Supreme Audit, as many as 80% of shelters do not provide animals with adequate living conditions. Dogs and
cats do not have proper rooms, lairs and runs in as many as 71% of facilities. Moreover, almost half of them do not even ensure adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions.
The reasons for the homelessness of animals lie, on
the one hand, in defective legal regulations, and on the other - in people's consciousness. Animal owners often treat them as objects. This is especially visible during holiday trips, when the owners simply get rid of the pets. Either
they throw them out on the streets or drop them off at shelters.
Therefore, legal regulations alone are not enough and must be accompanied by actions aimed at the society and shaping appropriate attitudes. These activities
should involve joint participation of municipalities and non-profit organizations, activities should involve current and potential animal owners, both children and adults. They can be conducted through schools (e.g. visits of people working
in shelters), but also as part of events organized by the commune for whole families. Such activities are to make people aware of what is involved in caring for a pet and that the decision to buy / take in a dog or a cat cannot be an impulse
but must be carefully considered.
Many times on the websites of animal shelters and pro-animal organizations there are appeals to donate a temporary home for a homeless animal. What is a temporary home? This is nothing more
than a foster family for a homeless dog or cat from an intervention or one that cannot cope with shelter conditions. It is a house that looks after the animal until adoption.
Losing a home or family is a huge trauma for a
dog or cat. Most often, such an animal is transported to the nearest shelter, where it is placed in a playpen / kennel. This causes enormous stress, the consequences of which can be dire. Many dogs or cats cannot find themselves in such
a situation. They start to lose weight and get sick. As the weakest link, they become victims of bites, in the worst case bites to death. Therefore, the more temporary homes there are, the more dogs and cats are saved.
A temporary
home gives love, attention, prepares for adoption in terms of behavior, takes care of the dog / cat's well-being and health. Typically, temporary homes are asked to send photos for announcements and description of the dog's character so
that the organization or shelter can find a destination that best suits the animal's needs. Temporary home SAVES LIVES!
Even the best shelter will not be able to provide such care as such a "foster family". In a temporary
home, your pet receives peace, security and the best care first and foremost. It makes it possible to recognize its true character. This significantly minimizes the risk of so-called "Return from adoption". In shelters, it is difficult
to judge which target home for a dog or cat will be the best. Pens, a large number of animals, new surroundings and shelter stress cause behavioral changes.
An excellent answer to the challenges described in this way is the
innovative and unique model of the Sweet, Sweet Home proposed by the Friends of Disabled Society in Lodz (NGO), in which the residents and staff will create a temporary home for animals in need: dogs and cats, rabbits and other domestic
rodents, including even homeless birds or turtles, under the care of overburdened animal care organizations, rescued from the shelter, or in shelter conditions not coping well.
All animals accepted under our roof will be looked
after. We will take care of their physical well-being, proper nutrition and veterinary care, as well as close contact with humans, proper socialization and developing appropriate habits for the subsequent target adoption of a given animal.
We
will also not hesitate to accept people with their own pets to live in our Sweet, Sweet Home. Often huge - human and animal - dramas take place when a resident is admitted to a care facility. Such situations break the hearts of the owners
and their pets: when, before living in the facility, the previous owner has to get rid of his pet, because he will not be accepted in his new place of residence.
At our Sweet, Sweet Home, such situations will not happen. Even
if the current caregiver is unable to properly care for his or her pet due to increased disease symptoms, the pet will find shelter, care and attention from other residents and staff and, thus, the owner and pet will not be separated.
Innovative
Complex of Unique Houses – Sweet, Sweet Home at ul. Municypalna in Łódź has a chance to become a safe asylum and a friendly enclave for the weakest and most needy: people with illnesses and mental disorders and unwanted, forgotten, lonely
and unhappy our "smaller brothers".
By running our Unique Homes on the above-mentioned principles, we will also actively contribute to the education of the local community in the field of animal treatment. We plan to establish
cooperation with educational institutions in the region in order to educate children and adolescents not only in the field of mental diseases and the issues of caring for mental health and hygiene - but also in the proper attitude towards
other living creatures - including domestic animals.
