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ADISA – Guatemala
At ADISA, learning is built on trust, care, and motivation. Guided by this vision, one of the programs that has created some of the most meaningful experiences is Animal-Assisted Therapy, where Nala, a golden retriever, accompanies children and adolescents in their development process.
Each session with Nala becomes a space for joy, connection, and discovery. Through play and interaction, participants strengthen everyday life skills such as independence, communication, emotional regulation, socialization, and teamwork. Sessions are held once a week, last approximately 30 to 40 minutes, and are adapted to the pace and needs of each participant.
The program currently serves 22 active participants, including children with autism, Down syndrome, communication difficulties, behavioral challenges, physical disabilities, as well as children without disabilities. This diversity promotes inclusion and shared learning, allowing each participant to find a safe space to grow at their own pace.
During the sessions, participants engage in activities such as brushing Nala, counting her kibble, taking her for walks, doing balance exercises, participating in attention-building activities, and completing school-related tasks. More than a traditional therapy, these experiences offer a close and motivating environment where learning happens naturally.
Families also play a fundamental role in this process. In addition to accompanying and observing their children’s progress, they receive guidance on how to reinforce independence skills at home, such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, organizing belongings, or helping with household tasks.
The results are already visible in everyday life. As Lesbia Corina Ramos Estrada, a mother, shared: “For us, it has been a very beautiful experience. My daughter can now move around better, wash dishes, wash her clothes, and bathe on her own. She couldn’t do that before, but through the therapies she has been learning, and every day she becomes more independent.”