The healing power of animals isn’t just a feel-good story—animal-assisted therapy is now a respected tool in treating mental, physical, and social challenges. Dogs, horses, rabbits, and even hedgehogs are showing up everywhere from psychiatric wards to pediatric clinics, bringing calm, motivation, and a sense of security wherever they go. Active, guided sessions with these trained animals and professionals take place under strict hygiene and safety standards.
Diving Into Animal-Assisted Interventions
On October 4, 2025, a comprehensive educational event in Budapest (Budapest) will focus on animal-assisted therapies in mental health care. The talks begin with an introduction to the world of animal interventions: the main types, uses, target groups, as well as which animals are most often involved, and how the field is officially regulated.
How Animals Actually Help
Cutting-edge research highlights the psycho-physiological reasons why animals soothe and heal us. One session explains the “relationship-focused canine therapy” used with adults struggling with psychiatric and addiction issues. Another covers what dogs are actually doing in children’s wards, with real-life examples from pediatric medicine.
Therapies Beyond Dogs
It’s not just pups stealing the show. Presentations include models of horse therapy in healthcare settings, plus an imaginative look into the Child Psychiatry Department of the Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital (Kaposi Mór Oktató Kórház)—here, rabbits, turtles, and hedgehogs are all part of the therapeutic team.
How to Join and What’s In It for You?
Registration is open—all you need to do is sign up and pay the fee: $60 for in-person attendance, $74 for online participation. Doctors, dentists, and clinical psychologists can earn 12 credit points by passing a test; health workers in other fields earn 8 points. The conference is accredited for a wide range of specializations, from pediatrics and addiction psychology to occupational medicine and psychiatry. For those who choose the video participation option, content will be available online from October 6 to 12. Organizers reserve the right to change the program and schedule.
