Animal-assisted therapy (often just called animal therapy) is all about harnessing the power of animals—dogs, horses, rabbits, even hedgehogs—to improve our physical, mental, and social well-being. The presence and companionship of animals can boost motivation, foster feelings of safety and calm, enhance communication, and provide essential emotional support. All therapy animals are specially trained, and sessions are always led by professionals under strict hygiene and safety protocols.
Event Details
On October 4, 2025, a full-day session about animal-assisted therapy in treating mental health disorders will be held at 12-14 Könyves Kálmán Boulevard (Könyves Kálmán körút), Budapest. For those who can’t attend in person, recordings will be available online from October 6 to 12, 2025. Registration is open to anyone with prior sign-up and payment. The participation fee is $60 onsite or $74 online.
What’s Happening?
The event begins with the basics: the types of animal-assisted interventions, where they’re used, different target groups, and regulations in healthcare. Other sessions will explore how animal therapy benefits patients both physically and mentally, and examine therapy with dogs for adults facing psychiatric or addiction challenges.
Ever wondered what a dog is doing in the children’s ward? There’s an entire presentation on canine-assisted therapy in pediatric care, along with an in-depth look at equine (horse) therapy in healthcare, including real Hungarian (Magyar) models currently in use.
Additionally, a special focus will bring together rabbits, turtles, hedgehogs, and others at the Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital (Kaposi Mór Oktató Kórház) child psychiatry unit, showing how diverse species are making a difference.
For the Pros
Doctors, dentists, and clinical psychologists can earn 12 credit points with a test; eligible fields include addiction, health psychology, pediatrics, occupational medicine and health, child and youth psychiatry, family medicine, forensic psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and more (accreditation code: PTE ÁOK/2025.II/00162). Healthcare workers in any field will earn 8 credit points for participating.
Organizers reserve the right to change the schedule or content at any time.
