Dog Assist Association

Animal Therapy in Cluj

By Katrina McDowell on Oct 11, 2023 in Giving

In 2022, Yardi offices supported more than 350 nonprofits worldwide. For the remainder of the year, we will bring you the stories of those organizations and insight into how they aid their communities.

Let’s travel to Cluj-Napoca, Romania and introduce the Dog Assist Association, founded in 2013. This NGO works in human-animal interaction (HAI) in a unique center in Romania that offers multidisciplinary programs for the community, such as therapy, activities, education, research, and training in the field of HAI. Its life-changing team includes four psychologists, one physiotherapist, one veterinarian, six beloved therapy dogs and two alpacas. The center is also a permanent residence for several saved animals—one goat, four ducks, two chinchillas, three rabbits and two fish tanks.

“We aim to enhance the quality of life of our beneficiaries through the understanding and use of animal-human interaction methods,” said Camelia Mosoia, Psychologist and program coordinator for the Dog Assist Association.

Therapy dogs participate in therapeutical programs along with specialists such as psychologists and physical therapists who motivate their clients towards success. At Dog Assist, they promote respect, compassion and empathy for all living beings, integrating animals positively into the community’s life.

“We fight with old mentalities, putting ourselves in the service of humans’ and animals’ wellbeing. We believe that the human–animal bond is unique, with therapeutical valences that offer unconditional love and support,” shared Mosoia.

The Dog Assist works in four strategic work directions:

1. Animal-assisted interventions: programs offered at various locations, such as schools or daycare centers for children with disabilities or deficiencies.
2. Education for the community: workshops for future or present animal guardians on animal responsibility, animal rights and welfare. Along with events both locally and regionally with activities and awareness campaigns.
3. Research on HAI in partnership with academic partners.
4. Training new specialists. This includes animals and therapists in animal-assisted interventions by organizing programs and workshops and teaching a one-semester course on Animal Assisted Therapy at the Babes-Bolyai University for special education master’s degree students.

The Dog Assist Association plans to expand its animal therapy team with one dog, one alpaca, two animal handlers and one full-time psychologist. They are also working to buy a permanent location for the Dog Assist Center and purchase a vehicle suitable for transporting alpacas. Funding from Yardi has helped the association continue its mission of educating the community to be more friendly, safe and inclusive towards animals and people. Since most of the programs are free of charge, companies like Yardi are essential for them to continue their work.

“For years, Yardi has been one of our strategical partners, sustaining our work in a country where NGOs fight to survive while offering essential services to the community, while the state does nothing to help. We are very grateful for their support and the fact that they recognize the importance of corporate and nonprofit sector partnerships, all for a common interest – the community’s well-being,” said Mosoia.

Meet Bes

One mother of a beneficiary shared her daughter’s story with The Dog Assist Association. Her daughter is five years old and diagnosed with a rare syndrome that led to brain surgery and the destruction of a part of the right lobe of her brain. She had several impairments due to the surgery, such as the inability to use her left hand. Bes was her therapy dog, and the specialists worked on animal-assisted psychical therapy assisted.

“I was looking for a therapy that would bring my daughter joy. The fact that she manages to hold something in her hand today is a miracle for us. Without Bes, we would not have reached this point.”

Another beneficiary is a teen who has struggled with mental health and obesity. Before therapy, she had weeks of not going out with several anxiety attacks. After two and a half years of animal-assisted therapy, she has resumed school, started going to the gym, took up driving lessons and began to engage in average teen activities.

“Bes gives me a sense of safety. It’s wonderful when I go on walks with him. Nothing else matters. And I like that. Friend. Help. That’s how I would describe him. Or my second psychotherapist.”

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are always welcome for specific tasks or projects announced on The Dog Assist Association’s Facebook page. They also welcome around-the-year activities such as grooming, socializing, and cleaning for therapy and rescue animals. Those interested send a direct message to them on Facebook or email [email protected].

“Once again, we thank Yardi for being our long-term partner, and we are looking forward to new common projects. For the readers, no good deed is too small, and each of us can make an impact in whatever way available to us—donating, volunteering, and educating are just a few methods,” shares Mosoia.

Find future non-profit profiles at https://www.yardi.com/blog/category/giving.