Station dog Luca works in the Augsburg clinic – "He saved the situation"
Created: 06/23/2022, 09:11
By: Katarina Amtmann
Sarah Brandl with dog Luca.
© Georg Schalk
The Augsburg Clinic has had a station dog since May.
Among other things, Luca works with traumatized patients – with great success.
Augsburg – "For the first time in its history there is a station dog in the district hospital (BKH) Augsburg." The clinic writes this on its website in June.
Augsburg: Luca as a ward dog in the clinic – “Encounters were very positive”
The dog's name is Luca, it's seven years old, probably a Kelpie mix and came to Germany from Bosnia at the age of four months via animal welfare, is written next to two photos of the four-legged friend.
Since May 1st, 2022, Luca has been working at Ward A1, a ward for adolescents.
Patients between the ages of 18 and 27 who have had traumatic experiences or suffer from personality disorders are treated there.
"The first encounters with the dog are very positive," the clinic continues.
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Dog Luca works in the Augsburg Clinic – "He saved the situation"
Ward manager Alexandra Will and curative education nurse Sarah Brandl - Luca's owner - describe what was initially a tense round of discussions among their patients - until the dog Luca came.
"He saved the situation," says Brandl.
"When the patients saw him, they shut down and suddenly became very quiet."
She was surprised at how much the young women and men told the animal when they went for a walk and how much they opened up to it.
"In this way we learn a lot that helps us in our work."
Two to three times a week, Luca is part of everyday life on the ward and lets anyone who wants to stroke him pet him.
Both the four-legged friend and the patients would enjoy it.
"As part of milieu therapy, Luca contributes to a relaxed atmosphere on the ward," says Alexandra Will of her observations.
Station dog Luca helps patients in the Augsburg Clinic – "We've been wanting that for years"
Many of the patients had a shattered childhood behind them and post-traumatic stress and personality disorders as a result of bad experiences with close relatives.
Luca helps them overcome their emotional instability.
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Luca's mistress Sarah Brandl brought him along.
She has been working at the clinic since January 2021 and has a lot of experience in dealing with animals.
Her idea of turning her family dog Luca into a ward dog was well received in the clinic for psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine.
"We've wanted this for years.
Our medical director, Prof. Alkomiet Hasan, is a big supporter,” says Alexandra Will.
In order to put the idea into practice, the clinic, under the leadership of senior physician Dr.
Susanne Hartmann set up a working group.
Based on the good experience, the BKH is planning to expand the range of animal-assisted therapies.
In order for the dog to be used on the ward, an expert opinion had to certify that its character was suitable for it.
In addition, the animal must be healthy, vaccinated and dewormed.
“The clinic management agreed to take over the necessary liability insurance.
There is also a monthly feed fee for the dog, which is used to buy treats.
The patients can then give them to him, ”the message continues.
Petting a Dog 'Significantly' Reduces Stress (Video)
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Patients enthusiastic about Augsburg ward dog Luca – "Gives us more security"
"I'm absolutely thrilled.
The dog gives us more security and takes our minds off things,” patient Irina describes her experiences with Luca.
This is important, especially for someone who has had to experience bad things with people.
The 19-year-old knows that dogs can sense when you're not doing so well.
“I love animals and get along well with them.
I would love to take Luca with me on every walk.”
Ward manager Alexandra Will reports on another patient who told her that she would have preferred to have stayed longer in the BKH because of the dog.
"She said it would probably be better if she fired her now."
Station dog Luca helps patients in Augsburg – "After work he sleeps through the night"
The patients feel that Luca means it honestly and does not make any great demands on them.
In return, they are willing to take responsibility and take care of the dog.
"An important building block in the therapeutic setting," according to the clinic.
Incidentally, a working day is just as exhausting for Luca as it is for people, the clinic reports in its statement.
He likes to retreat to the meeting/break room on the ward and rest on his blanket.
"After work, he sleeps through the night at my house," reports Sarah Brandl.
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