Andorra Hospital Launches First Inpatient Dog Therapy for Teen Mental Health Patients

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell has established bi-monthly dog therapy workshops on the ward to support the emotional wellbeing of inpatients aged 12 to 18 with serious mental health issues.

Run by Kissus—also known as Kissos Andorra—the voluntary group sessions occur two Saturdays a month directly on the fourth-floor unit. This marks Andorra's first such programme inside an inpatient area, differing from prior adult initiatives at the hospital's day unit, which involved outpatients meeting dogs off-site.

Cristina Pitart (also reported as Pitarch), Kissus's canine educator and director, leads the activities with Tequila (also spelled Tekila), a dog trained for stability and composure in therapeutic settings. Other dogs are in adaptation phases. Sessions begin with relaxation and familiarisation, followed by guided games promoting interaction, communication, and bonds. Pitart noted patients form a connection with the dog that aids emotional and cognitive progress, reduces stress, and helps them express themselves. Participation is optional, yet engagement has grown, with some adolescents eagerly anticipating the dogs' visits.

Maria Giró, the unit's clinical head, said the workshops integrate into daily care, drawing near-full attendance—even from those nearing discharge—and easing stigma that discourages mental health engagement. "It's the day we can barely fit everyone," she said, highlighting the dogs' non-judgmental presence as a neutral source of positivity backed by scientific evidence on anxiety reduction. The activities also facilitate other therapies by building trust with staff.

Funded by the Fundació Aurora Fornés i Padreny and overseen by Eduard Padreny, the project follows international models proven effective in major hospitals. Padreny called it a long-pursued milestone with clear user benefits and no issues reported elsewhere, adding that the foundation reviewed studies on gains like boosted self-esteem before securing hospital protocols for safety and hygiene. Now fully embedded—not a trial—the initiative began in late January or early February, has run several sessions without incidents, and plans expansion to other areas. Giró confirmed its stability and positive reception among patients.