«Dogs provide access where words fail.»
Ms Dobler, what is «To Dog»?
A group programme for adolescents from the Greater Zurich Area, initiated by employees of the psychiatric outpatient service Spitex To Do. It is aimed at children and teenagers aged 7 to 13 with mental health challenges. Working with dogs, they learn more about themselves: how they affect others, how they communicate and how they can learn to cope better with stress and intense emotions.
How is the programme structured?
It consists of five consecutive course units, each held on Wednesday afternoons. Our animal partners play a key role in this: eight dogs, each with different characters and personal strengths and weaknesses.
At the beginning, all participants are assigned «their» dog, which accompanies them throughout the programme. The animals have been carefully selected, so no previous experience with dogs is necessary. The first part of the course involves practical work with a professional trainer at the dog training centre. Each course unit ends with a reflection session: What gave us courage today, what was difficult? Where do the young people see parallels with their everyday lives, what do they want to do better? The discussions are moderated by experts.
Why are dogs so valuable in this regard?
Dogs are honest, empathetic companions. They are particularly valuable bridge builders for young people with mental health issues: they create access where words fail and are perfect teachers when it comes to self-awareness, communication, trust and stress management. «To Dog» is not a substitute for psychotherapeutic treatment. However, the programme achieves what therapeutic settings often find difficult to accomplish: young people experience self-efficacy very directly – that it is up to them, that they can make a difference with their behaviour and that change is possible.
to Dog is a service offered by Spitex To Do GmbH and is aimed at children and young people in the greater Zurich area. They can participate for a one-time fee of 150 Swiss francs. www.todog.ch
