Animal-Assisted Therapy
What are Animal-Assisted Interventions?
Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI, called IAA in Italian) are a gentle complementary therapy based on the interaction between humans and companion animals, which are involved in recreational, educational, and therapeutic settings. Since 2015, it has been officially regulated in Italy through specific National Guidelines and formally referred to as AAI (Animal-Assisted Interventions).
AAIs were initially called “pet therapy” in the 1960s by American child neuropsychiatrist Boris M. Levinson, who was the first to observe the positive effects of the presence of his dog on a young patient with autism. From that moment onward, the scientific community began to recognize companion animals for the therapeutic value of the human-animal relationship. Subsequent studies scientifically demonstrated the benefits of these interventions in therapeutic and socio-relational contexts involving children, adolescents, people with disabilities, adults, and elderly individuals, with or without physical or mental disorders.
Animal-Assited Interventions may have different purposes:
- Recreational activities: the human-animal interaction primarily aims to foster the development of a new relationship capable of enhancing the users’ psychological and physical well-being (Animal-Assisted Activities or AAA);
- Educational activities: these interventions promote the resources and abilities of individuals with vulnerabilities, stimulate personal growth, and improve interpersonal skills, allowing each participant to experience moments of sharing and enrichment while respecting their functional needs and emotional, cognitive, and relational requirements (Animal-Assisted Education or AAE);
- Therapeutic activities: aimed at individuals with specific pathologies of various kinds, upon referral by a healthcare or social care professional (Animal-Assisted Therapy or AAT).
Current Regulations
According to current Italian legislation (State-Regions Agreement on the “National Guidelines for Animal-Assisted Interventions,” 2015), AAI projects can be implemented only by a multidisciplinary team composed of specifically trained professionals (project coordinator, veterinarian, and animal handler) registered in the official national list of AAI operators, available on the Italian Ministry of Health portal www.digitalpet.it
The Only Team in Parma with a Relational Approach
I currently proud to manage the AAI team of ASSOCIAZIONE JIVA as our team is the only one in town to adopting a gentle, relational, and non-utilitarian approach that places great emphasis on safeguarding animal welfare. According to a holistic vision of body, mind, and spirit, we promote open and respectful relationships with others — both human and non-human. Animals are not “used” within our projects, but ìrather actively involved as central participants in the relationship, as bearers of individuality and diversity.
Our Team
- Dr. Fiammetta Maria Rossi – Veterinarian specialized in AAI and Lecturer in AAI
(responsible for assessing physical health, behavioral and emotional stability and welfare of the animals involved) - Dr. Alice Calvi Barantani – Project Manager and Coordinator
(guides the team in defining goals, implementation methods, assessments, and reports; oversees participant care) - Several Animal Handlers, qualified and trained according to the relational approach
(facilitate the relationship between users and animals and manage the animals during sessions) - Several Pets
(meeting with official health and behavioral suitability requirements)
COMPLETED PROJECTS
School Year 2025/26
- Educational project for a group of vulnerable middle school students
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Newton Middle School, Parma
Funded by Il Tulipano Bianco APS, Rome - Educational project for vulnerable children and their first grade class
I.C. Ferrari – A. Frank Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their second grade class
Corazza Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their second grade class
I.C. San Secondo – Vitali Primary School, Roccabianca (PR)
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their third grade class
Corazza Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their third grade class
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Albertelli Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for a group of disabled high school students
Romagnosi High School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for two groups of disabled high school students
I.S. D’Arzo High Scool, Montecchio nell’Emilia (RE) - Educational project for homeless adults
Società coop. Dolce – CANT, Parma
(pro bono offered by our AAI team)
School Year 2024/25
- Recreational project for toddlers (in English)
Annidolci Bilingual Nursery School, Parma - Recreational project for children in summer camp
Giro del Cielo Social Cooperative, Reggio Emilia - Individual educational project for vulnerable child
Private home, Scandiano (RE) - Individual educational project for child with behavioral vulnerability
Private home, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their two kindergarten classes
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Beneceto Kindergarten (PR)
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their first grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their second grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their second grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Cocconi Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their third grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Cocconi Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their third grade class
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Zerbini Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational projects for vulnerable kids and their sixth grade class
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Newton Middle School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational projects for vulnerable kids and their seventh grade class
I.C. Albertelli Newton – Newton Middle School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for two groups of vulnerable high school students
I.S. D’Arzo High Scool, Montecchio nell’Emilia (RE) - Educational project for two groups of disabled adults in a day care center
Lo Stradello Social Coop – Odoardina Day Center, Sesso (RE)
School Year 2023/24
- Recreational project for toddlers and their families
Milky Way Nursery and Kindergarten, Traversetolo (PR) - Recreational project for children attending summer camp
Giro del Cielo Social Coop, Reggio Emilia - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 3rd grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Cocconi Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 3rd grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 4th grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Cocconi Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 5th grade class
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable kids and their 6th grade class
I.C. D’Acquisto – D’Acquisto Middle School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable kids and their 7th grade class
I.C. Micheli – Vicini Middle School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Educational project for vulnerable kids and their 8th grade class
I.C. Ferrari – Ferrari Middle School, Parma
Funded by Fondazione Anna Mattioli ETS - Public outreach event with open AAI pet therapy workshops
“The Great Dog Show” – La Galleria Shopping Center, Parma
School Year 2022/23
- Educational project for vulnerable children and their 2nd grade classe
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 4th grade classe
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma - Educational project for vulnerable children and their 5th grade classe
I.C. Parmigianino – Corridoni Primary School, Parma - Educational project for vulnerable kids and their 6th grade class
I.C. Micheli – Vicini Middle School, Parma
(funded by involved families) - 1st Educational project for group of seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease in a day care center
AIMA – Associazione Italiana Malattia di Alzheimer, Parma - 2nd Educational project for group of seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease in a day care center
AIMA – Associazione Italiana Malattia di Alzheimer, Parma - Individual therapeutic project for senior affected by cognitive degeneration
Private home, Parma
School Year 2021/22
- Recreational project for preschool children
S. Maria Assunta Nursery and Kindergarten, Corcagnano (PR) - Recreational project for toddlers
Cafè dei Bimbi Educational Group, Parma - Individual therapeutic project for a senior affected by cognitive degeneration
Private home, Parma
Release your full potential in the human-animal relationship with TIARA and enjoy a better quality of life in tune with Nature!
INFO: 380 7807870