Kiwoko and Hill's support young people

During the 2024/2025 school year, 90 children with Down-syndrome from the Colegio Cambrils school in Madrid took part in weekly sessions with therapy dogs as part of the “Momentos by Kiwoko” programme, a pioneering initiative for animal-assisted therapy in special schools, which benefits around 100 people every year in collaboration with Hill's. In addition, Momentos by Kiwoko has supported 10 young people in precarious living situations with scholarships and trained them in animal-assisted interventions, including an internship.

The programme, sponsored by Kiwoko, the largest chain of pet care product stores in Spain and Portugal, is now completing its second edition and has confirmed that it will continue with a third edition in the next school year.

The programme, which uses specially trained therapy dogs, has a positive impact on emotional and academic development. For the students, it has helped to reduce anxiety and stress, improve motor skills through games and caring for the dogs, and boost self-esteem through tasks such as brushing or walking the animals. Communication and cooperation have also been promoted.

The programme has given socially and economically disadvantaged young people who have received a scholarship from “Momentos by Kiwoko” the opportunity to take on an active and transformative role and to awaken vocations in areas such as social work, caring for the elderly or special education. Through their direct involvement, they have strengthened their self-esteem, developed communication skills and found new personal and professional motivations.