Purina launches pet therapy program at Milan's Fatebenefratelli Hospital

Purina Frida’s Friends pet therapy Fatebenefratelli Hospital pediatric neurology

Purina, the European leader in pet care, is supporting a pet‑therapy initiative together with the nonprofit Frida’s Friends at the Pediatric Neurology unit of the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Milan. The project operates within the Centre for Regional Pediatric Epileptology (CREI) and was spurred by Berenice Merlini, the centre’s chief psychologist, after she observed benefits of animal‑assisted interventions in the hospital’s pediatric ward.

Two pilot sessions were held in December. Following positive outcomes, the programme was made permanent with continued backing from Purina. Reported cases include a 17‑year‑old boy with a severe cognitive delay who, after a few minutes, interacted calmly with a therapy dog, and a four‑year‑old girl undergoing an electroencephalogram who remained untroubled, playing with the dog and wearing the required helmet without distress. Sessions are individually tailored to each child’s clinical, emotional and relational profile, aiming to create a calmer, more collaborative atmosphere rather than merely providing distraction.

Entities

Berenice Merlini · Centre for Regional Pediatric Epileptology (CREI) · Fatebenefratelli Hospital · Frida’s Friends · Purina

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 5 SOURCES] Purina is supporting a pet‑therapy project with Frida’s Friends at the Pediatric Neurology department of Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Milan. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] The programme aims to foster a calmer, collaborative environment rather than merely provide distraction. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Berenice Merlini, chief psychologist at the centre, initiated the collaboration after observing benefits in the hospital’s pediatric ward. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] A 17‑year‑old boy with severe cognitive delay, initially fearful of dogs, interacted calmly with the therapy dog after a few minutes. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] A four‑year‑old girl undergoing an electroencephalogram remained calm, playing with the dog and wearing the required helmet without distress. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Two pilot sessions were held in December before the programme was continued permanently. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] Interventions are individually tailored to each child’s clinical, emotional and relational profile. www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net
[● 5 SOURCES] The programme operates within the Centre for Regional Pediatric Epileptology (CREI). www.ilpuntonotizie.it · www.insiciliareport.it · www.quotidianodelsud.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.pugliain.net