Who is man's best friend? Everyone knows the answer to this question. Dogs are not only loyal human companions, but also very empathetic pets and human helpers. That is why dogs are also used in canine therapy, when it comes to helping people to make contact and improve their social skills. Such classes are also held at the new Migration Information and Integration Centre "MICenter" of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Vilnius Office (IOM Lithuania).

For a few weeks now, a group of children from Ukraine have been meeting at the MICentre with child psychologist and canitherapist Joana Grygutis and her charming helper Lu. 
"Worldwide experience shows that dogs can be excellent "therapists". However, not all four-legged animals are suitable for such a mission. Dogs that are not characterised by learned or "chiselled" commands, but by an inner state - the desire to communicate with people, to connect, the ability to sense human moods, to tolerate human difference or disability - are suitable for therapy sessions. Flexibility in behaviour is also important. Proper socialisation of the dog is therefore very important in the selection and training of the dog. The dog must not only be social, but also properly socialised," says J. Grygutis, a therapy dog trainer. According to her, dogs attend classes and training for about a year or even longer and then take an exam in order to help people. Not all dogs are suited to such activities. Only adult, physically and emotionally mature dogs can take part in canine therapy - small breeds (up to 15 kg) at least 12 months old and large breeds at least 14 months old.

"At the moment, MICentre is assisted by an eight-year-old therapy dog, Lu, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The children have been through a lot of upheaval since arriving from Ukraine, and leaving home in a hurry and arriving in a strange country is not easy for anyone, especially for children. The aim of these activities is to help the children to make their integration path as easy as possible. The sessions also build confidence in the environment, in their own strength and abilities, inspire hope, reduce isolation, dispel gloomy thoughts, encourage the desire to open up, communicate and even help them to learn Lithuanian words little by little," says the Kaniterapute. During the sessions, the children have to perform various creative tasks, take care of the four-legged participant, and communicate respectfully with the animal and with each other.

Dogs are very mobile and it is much easier to use them in therapy and to involve them in different activities. In addition, the range of activities with dogs is much wider than with horses or dolphins, for example. Dogs are considered to be the most social animals, which makes it quicker and easier for patients to bond with them (accelerating the process). Therapy dogs, unlike horses or dolphins for example, have a deeper, much closer bond with people. With dogs, communication is easy, simple, non-committal and seemingly effortless.
"We are delighted to be able to offer the children at MICentre the opportunity to play and, at least temporarily, to forget. This is what children should do. We were surprised how quickly Lu can cheer up a child and engage them in activities that build relationships with Lu and the other group members," says Mantas Jeršovas, psychologist at IOM Lithuania. 
The Migration Information Centre MICenter was opened at the end of October and offers various activities for foreigners: counselling, case management, emotional support, art therapy. "MICenter is a place where foreigners arriving in Lithuania can receive various assistance, from legal to psychological counselling, as well as participate in various events that will help them to integrate more smoothly in Lithuania," says Edita Urbanovič, head of the "I Choose Lithuania" project implemented by IOM Lithuania.