Pet therapy for children with cancer

Bringing Comfort, Connection, and Joy

Thank you for supporting Fundación Aladina’s Pet Therapy Program. Thanks to you, therapy dogs continue to brighten hospital hallways, reduce anxiety, and bring warmth to children facing cancer. What began as a small initiative has grown into a stable, essential resource in six hospitals across Spain, including Gregorio Marañón and Virgen del Rocío, as well as Vithas, Clínico de Valencia, Quirón Pozuelo, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit at Niño Jesús Hospital. Your generosity makes these life-changing moments possible every single week.

A Story From Our Team

Lorena Díez, our Director of Hospitals, witnesses firsthand the profound impact these dogs have—especially on children with mobility or cognitive challenges caused by brain tumors. She explains, “Many of these children struggle with movement, interaction, or balance. Through pet therapy, we start seeing meaningful progress—children standing again, engaging more, recovering control, and reconnecting with their surroundings. The benefits extend to families too, who regain hope as they watch their children improve. We are very proud to offer a resource that helps them recover confidence, mobility, and autonomy.” Her words reflect what so many families tell us: these dogs don’t just accompany children—they help them heal.

Your Impact in Recent Months

Since the previous update, children and families have continued to benefit from this program in hospital rooms, therapy areas, and even at home for those receiving palliative care. In 2024, the program reached 334 children through 428 therapy sessions, each one offering emotional relief, motivation, and meaningful connection. Every smile, every moment of calm, every small breakthrough is made possible by donors like you.

Looking Ahead

As demand grows, our goal is to expand the Pet Therapy Program to more hospitals and ensure long-term sustainability. The needs are real—children undergoing treatment often face isolation, fear, and significant developmental challenges. With your continued support, we hope to bring the healing presence of therapy dogs to even more young patients and families in the months ahead.

Links:

• Aladina's website

The moment a therapy dog walks into a hospital room, something extraordinary happens—faces light up, stress eases, and for a little while, illness takes a back seat. That’s the heart of the Aladina Foundation’s Pet Therapy Program.

What began in two hospitals—Gregorio Marañón in Madrid and Virgen del Rocío in Seville—has grown thanks to our collaboration with the Perros Azules Association. Today, our dogs bring hope and comfort not only to these centers but also to Vithas and Clínico Hospitals in Valencia, Quirón Hospital in Pozuelo, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit at Niño Jesús Hospital in Madrid. Six hospitals now open their doors to this unique therapy, offering children more than medical treatment: they give them moments of joy and connection.

Since January 2022, the program has also reached children in palliative care, both at home and in hospital. 

Impact in Action
In 2023, 553 children and adolescents experienced the comfort of pet therapy through 223 sessions. Behind each number is a story of a child who smiled again, who found relief in the middle of treatment, who felt less alone.

Why It Matters
Expanding the program to six hospitals has been a milestone, but the true success lies in the transformations we see. Therapy dogs help children communicate, reduce their anxiety, and find joy in the toughest moments. These small but powerful changes make an enormous difference in their emotional resilience.

The Road Ahead
Of course, growth comes with challenges—resources, logistics, and the need to expand responsibly. That’s why we continue strengthening partnerships and building new ones, ensuring that this work remains sustainable.

Looking to 2025 and beyond, our dream is clear: to bring the love, comfort, and healing touch of therapy dogs to even more hospitals and homes. Because every child facing cancer deserves not only the best medical care, but also the light, warmth, and unconditional affection that only a loyal four-legged friend can provide.

Links:

• https://aladina.org/en/emotional-support/