Artistic Activities with Assistance of Dogs

In Western Europe and United States pets at the workplace is common phenomenon. The Code of Conduct of Google Corporation states: "The love of our employees for pets is an integral part of our corporate culture." It is getting popular in Lithuania too. Every year, on 24 April, Day of Dogs, Lithuanian Cynology Society invites employees of companies to bring their pets to work.
The most popular pet at workplace is dog. Some partner organisations of this project also come to the office with dogs and stay there all the day. Scientific research show that dog at work relieves stress, promotes social interaction and increases employees' productivity. Psychologists are convinced that activities with dogs foster communication, psychosocial, cognitive and perceptual skills, improves sensory and developing the need of care of others. Art therapy and other creative activities allow safely to understand, visualise and capture what is happening with person in relation to pet. Psychologists know that thanks to artistic methods and visual communication we can connect more easily with people, discover our inside potential and understand deeper others. Research show that combination of activities with dogs and art have
very positive influence on mental health and communication skills of all people.
The main aim of this project is to foster socialisation and collaboration of youngsters in international mixed-ability-group through creative activities with dogs.
Other tasks of project:
1. To develop communication skills of healthy, mentally disordered and with fewer opportunities
youngsters in order to facilitate their involvement into society and labour market.
2. To train creative skills of youngsters.
3. To foster the feeling of tolerance and patience for diversity by being in mixed-ability-group of
youngsters. To develop solidarity feeling of group.
4. To break stereotypes and labels towards youngsters with mental illness, fewer opportunities.
5. To experience innovative methods of non-formal education in youth organisations.
6. To know better other countries, their culture and traditions.
7. To get more knowledge about dogs.
8. To understand deeper various mental illness - autism, depression, dementia and others.

Dissemination:

Klaipėda Science & Technology Park (FB)

Klaipėda "Medeinė" School (FB)

Klaipėda "Vėtrungė" gymnasium (FB)

Augšdaugavas novada jaunatne-1 (FB)

Augšdaugavas novada jaunatne-2 (FB)

ProgramErasmus+ KA1 Learning Mobility of Individuals Youth mobilityProject Nr.2019-3-LT02-KA105-006603Duration6th February 2020 - 5th November 2022CoordinatorEducation, Research & Consultancy Center - ERCCPartnersCoda di Lupo (Italy); Youth for Equality (Slovakia); Erasmusplus Hannover (Germany); 19 naglas (Latvia); Bilgi ve Beceri Dernegi (BVB Turkey) Results

Youth Exchange Diary