![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.savethedogs.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Bambini_foj.jpg\")
Two of the Connecting Lives program\u2019s most important projects are now up and running. We were thrilled to welcome young visitors and inmates for their first visit to our shelter in Cernavoda this April.<\/p>\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Connecting Lives: we welcome young visitors and inmates to our shelter for the first time ” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||2%||false|false”]<\/p>\n
Two of the Connecting Lives program\u2019s most important projects are now up and running. We were thrilled to welcome young visitors and inmates for their first visit to our shelter in Cernavoda this April.<\/p>\n
We were overjoyed to watch everyone\u2019s eyes lit up during the visits: the children\u2019s as they played with the dogs, the inmates\u2019 while they took care of the donkeys, and the animals\u2019 as everyone interacted so freely with them.<\/p>\n
These encounters were all organized at our Footprints of Joy<\/em> shelter as part of the Connecting<\/em> Lives<\/em> program we launched in February 2023 in Cernavoda in Romania.<\/p>\n They were held at different times using a variety of different formats, but the objective was always the same: namely, that of fostering the bond that naturally connects us to animals and of raising awareness of their rights among both children and adults.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n The children’s visit to our shelter in Cernavoda <\/strong><\/p>\n It was 9:45 a.m. when the bus pulled up in front of the entrance to Footprints of Joy<\/em>. 18 pupils alighted in single file, excited to meet the residents at our center. During the visit, we explained the special characteristics of the donkeys and dogs in our care to them, showing them how to interact safely with them and how to recognize their needs. One of the highlights was definitely the hands-on workshop, where the children prepared environmentally-friendly treats for the donkeys using pieces of fruit and hay, and were then able to observe them during the animals\u2019 playtime.<\/p>\n We strongly believe that educating young children to respect and live in harmony with animals is crucial to positively influencing the next generation. Thanks to Connecting<\/em> Lives<\/em>, it has become possible for us to open the doors of our center and welcome visits from children aged between 9 and 11 who are attending schools in Cernavoda and nearby Cochirleni. Many of them live alongside dogs, cats and sometimes donkeys and horses; visits to our shelter therefore offer a perfect opportunity to show them how to interact empathetically with these animals and how to care for them. We hope that the protected environment of Footprints of Joy<\/em> will be an inspiration to them and will spark the cultural change that is so desperately needed in these areas.<\/p>\n Our collaboration with Poarta Alba Prison is also off to a great start <\/strong><\/p>\n A few days later, we organized the first visit by inmates from the nearby Poarta Alba Prison who had a guided tour with Adriana Susma, the General Director of Footprints of Joy<\/em>, during which they learned the rudiments of basic donkey care. They then helped us with some stable maintenance work, and towards the end of the day were able to enjoy a few moments of relaxation with the equines.<\/p>\n Working with animals allows inmates to acquire new skills, reduce stress levels and improve social interaction, all factors that will help them reintegrate into society once they have finished their time in prison. We have therefore formed an agreement with the Poarta Alba Prison for them to visit us on a regular basis so that they can help us with the animals and also assist us with the upkeep of the premises.<\/p>\n Added benefits for the animals<\/strong><\/p>\n The animals are of course the first in line to benefit from these interactions. Donkeys are highly social and welcome human companionship. The treats made by the children were really stimulating for them, as was the time they spent with the inmates.<\/p>\n Enjoying playtime with the dogs is also considered extremely important at the shelter. We take care to select residents who are more amenable to human contact, and our dog educators are always present to supervise and guide proceedings. The animals really enjoy spending time playing with everyone, which in turn helps them develop new skills. And it goes without saying that they always bring a smile to everyone’s faces, regardless of whether they are children or adults.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two of the Connecting Lives program\u2019s most important projects are now up and running. We were thrilled to welcome young visitors and inmates for their first visit to our shelter in Cernavoda this April. We were overjoyed to watch everyone\u2019s eyes lit up during the visits: the children\u2019s as they played with the dogs, the inmates\u2019 while they took care of the donkeys, and the animals\u2019 as everyone interacted so freely with them. These encounters were all organized at our Footprints of Joy shelter as part of the Connecting Lives program we launched in February 2023 in Cernavoda in Romania. They were held at different times using a variety of different formats, but the objective was always the same: namely, that of fostering the bond that naturally connects us to animals and of raising awareness of their rights among both children and adults.The children’s visit to our shelter in Cernavoda It was 9:45 a.m. when the bus pulled up in front of the entrance to Footprints of Joy. 18 pupils alighted in single file, excited to meet the residents at our center. During the visit, we explained the special characteristics of the donkeys and dogs in our care to them, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":69555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" fullwidth=\"on\" _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=\"Vite connesse: le prime visite di bambini e detenuti al nostro rifugio\" _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\"][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" custom_padding=\"||2%||false|false\" hover_enabled=\"0\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> Abbiamo visto la stessa luce nei loro occhi. In quelli dei bambini, mentre interagivano con i nostri cani. In quelli dei detenuti, mentre si prendevano cura degli asini. E in quelli degli animali, mentre giocavano con loro.<\/p> Questi incontri sono stati organizzati nel nostro rifugio Footprints of Joy<\/em>, all\u2019interno del programma Vite Connesse<\/em>, che abbiamo lanciato a febbraio 2023 a Cernavoda, in Romania.<\/p> Si sono svolti con modalit\u00e0 e in momenti diversi, ma lo scopo era lo stesso: nutrire quella connessione che naturalmente ci lega agli animali e sensibilizzare grandi e piccoli sui loro diritti.<\/p> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.9.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" hover_enabled=\"0\" sticky_enabled=\"0\"]<\/p> Com\u2019\u00e8 andata la visita dei bambini al nostro rifugio di Cernavoda<\/strong><\/p> Erano le 9:45 quando il pulmino si \u00e8 fermato davanti all\u2019ingresso di Footprints of Joy<\/em>. 18 alunni sono scesi in fila indiana pronti a conoscere gli ospiti della nostra struttura. Durante la visita abbiamo raccontato loro le particolarit\u00e0 degli asini e dei cani di cui ci occupiamo, spiegando come interagirci in modo sicuro e come riconoscerne i bisogni. Uno dei momenti pi\u00f9 apprezzati \u00e8 stato il laboratorio pratico in cui i bambini hanno costruito degli arricchimenti ambientali per gli asini, con pezzi di frutta e fieno per poi osservarli durante le fasi di gioco.<\/p> Educare i pi\u00f9 piccoli al rispetto e alla convivenza con gli animali \u00e8 fondamentale per influenzare positivamente le nuove generazioni. Grazie a Vite Connesse<\/em> possiamo aprire le porte del nostro centro ai ragazzi tra i 9 e gli 11 anni che frequentano gli istituti scolastici di Cernavoda e della vicina Cochirleni. Molti di loro vivono insieme a cani, gatti e talvolta anche asini e cavalli; quindi le visite al nostro rifugio sono l\u2019occasione perfetta per mostrare loro come interagire in modo empatico con questi animali e come prendersene cura. Ci auguriamo che l\u2019ambiente protetto di Footprints of Joy<\/em> possa ispirarli e innescare la scintilla del cambiamento culturale di cui questi territori hanno disperatamente bisogno.<\/p> Partita anche la collaborazione con il carcere di Poarta Alba<\/strong><\/p>[caption id=\"attachment_69529\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"] Qualche giorno dopo abbiamo organizzato la prima visita dei detenuti del vicino carcere di Poarta Alba. Hanno fatto un tour guidato insieme ad Adriana Susma, Direttrice Generale di Footprints of Joy<\/em>, durante il quale hanno imparato i rudimenti delle cure di base agli asini. Ci hanno poi aiutato con la manutenzione di alcune stalle e alla fine della giornata si sono goduti qualche momento di relax insieme agli equini.<\/p> Lavorare a contatto con gli animali permette ai detenuti di acquisire nuove competenze, di ridurre lo stress e di migliorare le interazioni sociali. Fattori che li aiuteranno a reinserirsi nella societ\u00e0 una volta terminato il periodo di detenzione. Per questo motivo abbiamo stretto un accordo con il carcere di Poarta Alba, affinch\u00e8 vengano regolarmente a farci visita, aiutandoci allo stesso tempo nella manutenzione degli spazi e con gli animali.<\/p> I benefici per gli animali<\/strong><\/p> E sono proprio gli animali a beneficiare per primi di queste interazioni. Gli asini sono individui altamente sociali che apprezzano la compagnia delle persone. Gli arricchimenti costruiti dai bambini rappresentano degli stimoli importanti per loro, cos\u00ec come il tempo trascorso con i detenuti.<\/p> Anche i momenti di gioco insieme ai cani hanno un valore enorme. Selezioniamo gli ospiti del rifugio che hanno gi\u00e0 un\u2019indole pi\u00f9 predisposta al contatto umano e l\u2019incontro avviene sempre sotto la supervisione e la guida dei nostri educatori cinofili. Gli animali si godono la compagnia delle persone e giocano, sviluppando a loro volta nuove competenze. E strappano sempre un sorriso a tutti, adulti e piccini.<\/p> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[96,100],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-news-en-2"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Vite](\"https:\/\/www.savethedogs.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Detenuti.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Muovono i primi passi due importanti progetti del programma Vite Connesse. Nel mese di aprile abbiamo accolto le prime visite di bambini e detenuti nel nostro rifugio di Cernavoda.<\/p> Vite Connesse: la prima visita dei detenuti del carcere di Poarta Alba[\/caption]