In Gares, Spain, Laura Salvador has dedicated her life to helping others through canine therapy. With over 15 years of experience in dog training, Laura combines her passion for animals with her desire to assist people suffering from loneliness, depression, and anxiety at her center, Canae.
Since 2018, Laura has expanded her focus from basic dog training to include canine psychology and emotional support therapy. Her comprehensive training includes specialized skills in search, rescue, and civil protection dogs.
Laura's work is divided into four key areas: animal-assisted intervention therapy, emotional support dogs, dog training, and education. She operates on a spacious property where she conducts various therapeutic activities.
For the past seven years, Laura and her two therapy dogs, a six-year-old Swiss shepherd named Mai and a seven-year-old Vendean griffon named Nire, have been visiting the elderly at the Casa de Misericordia in Pamplona, providing companionship and joy.
Notably, not all dogs are suitable for emotional support. Laura emphasizes the importance of temperament, stating that ideal emotional support dogs must be calm, balanced, affectionate, and social, qualities that can be observed as early as two months old. She believes that the selection of these dogs should be individualized, as every dog has unique traits.
Character, a combination of temperament and learned behaviors, plays a crucial role in developing the ideal emotional support dog. According to Laura, 80% of a dog’s character is influenced by its owner, while 20% stems from its natural disposition.
To prepare puppies for their roles, Laura focuses on socialization and adaptation between two to four months of age, ensuring a strong bond with their owners through positive reinforcement techniques. This approach fosters independence in the dogs.
Emotional support dogs significantly impact their owners' psychological and social well-being, promoting emotional regulation and reducing isolation. Laura notes that interactions with these dogs can lower heart rates, reduce blood pressure, and enhance relaxation.
Laura passionately advocates for the benefits of canine therapy, especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, where dogs can help identify and mitigate emotional crises.
With plans to expand her thriving business, Laura continues to dedicate herself to improving the lives of both her human clients and their furry companions, helping them find happiness and emotional relief.