The Rainier III Centre welcomes its first canine staff member

The Rainier III Centre (CRIII) has just welcomed the centre's new therapy dog, Sépia, a three-year-old female labrador.

Now widely recognised as beneficial, animal therapy is one of the non-drug therapies offered as a new way to care for patients. The approach is increasingly used by medical care teams, not only for the comfort and affection the animal can provide, but also to help patients express their feelings, voice their opinions and lower their stress levels.

Sépia’s arrival at the CRIII is the culmination of a long eight-month training process. Educated by a trainer at the Guide Dogs for the Blind association (PACA–Corsica region) in coordination with the hospital teams, Sepia was onboarded to the team gradually to ensure her well-being as well as the effectiveness of the therapy for patients.

Now viewed as a real member of staff, the young dog has a schedule of individual and group sessions with patients.
These sessions are prepared beforehand during meetings of the healthcare team in order to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from the soothing presence of Sépia.

The animal’s presence has a direct effect on the well-being and comfort of patients, highlighting how this therapy contributes to creating a welcoming and reassuring environment.