Behind his tricolor coat and calm gaze, Teamir isn't just there to look cute. This 18-month-old Australian shepherd is an integral part of an animal therapy program at the hyperbaric oxygen therapy center of Roger-Salengro Hospital, which is part of the CHU de Lille. It's a still-rare initiative in France, but the benefits are already very real.
A dog at the heart of intensive care
Adopted by a nurse from the intensive medicine and resuscitation department, Teamir works with hospitalized patients dealing with complex wounds, heavy treatments, or amputations. These are challenging medical situations where anxiety and pain are always present.
“We know from studies that animals help reduce anxiety and have pain-relieving benefits,” explains Angélique Marescaux, a healthcare manager. The dog's presence helps address the psychological aspects of pain, providing patients with a moment that completely changes their experience.
their relationship with care.
« For twenty minutes, I felt no pain »
The feedback speaks for itself. A young amputee patient shared that he felt no pain during a therapy session with Teamir. Another patient, experiencing significant psychological distress, found a simple yet vital goal: to leave the hospital for his dog.
In this daytime service, nearly 1,000 patients could benefit each year from this initiative, always with a medical prescription. Currently, Teamir is present three mornings a week, with the aim of being there daily by the end of 2026, in a strictly supervised environment to ensure his well-being.
Carefully supervised animal therapy
To thrive in a hospital environment, Teamir has completed specific training at the center for developing the human-animal-nature relationship À l’É...vidence, based near Lille. Desensitization to noises, smells, and medical comings and goings: nothing was left to chance.
Four willing professionals have also been trained to accompany the dog and learn to recognize its signs of fatigue or stress. “You have to know how to read the dog,” reminds behaviorist Sarah Dharancy. No impromptu cuddling therapy: Teamir works a maximum of two hours twice a day, with well-defined rest periods.
A still rare initiative in hospitals
While animal therapy is gradually developing in France, the presence of a “healing” dog in a hospital unit remains exceptional. In Lille, this approach is part of a broader dynamic concerning mental health and patient well-being, a topic that is increasingly taken seriously in healthcare facilities.
Supported notably by the APICIL Foundation and the Blouses Roses association, the Lille initiative may well inspire other hospitals. One thing is for sure. : At Roger-Salengro, Teamir has already found his place.
Sources : Le Parisien, France 3 Régions