In the corridors of the Institut Curie, in Paris, the smell has changed in recent months. To the usual scent of the disinfectant was added that of Snoopy, a service dog of about 2 years old. With his drooping ears and his friendly little face, this English setter with black and white hair illuminates the sometimes closed faces of patients in the wounds and healing department, directed by nurse-researcher Isabelle Fromantin.
At first, it was difficult to imagine a canine evolving in such a place. But scientific publications have shown that washing your hands conscientiously, after caresses, makes it possible to respect drastic hygiene measures. Snoopy’s presence is part of the M-KDOG study, which is supposed to assess the extent to which this four-legged mediator allows caregivers and patients to bond. Several hospitals are already seeking advice to replicate the project.
On alternate duty between four members of the Wounds and Healing Unit, Snoopy goes home to sleep at one of them each night. “My twins ask for it every day”, says nurse Maxime Cheron, with whom Snoopy has his bowl. Within the institute, the team was already very supportive, especially after experiencing the pandemic, but relations were further strengthened with the presence of the doggie. “Before, I said that we were welded, now we are linked”says nurse Elodie Labedade.
To adopt Snoopy, you had to drive to the SPA in Pornic (Loire-Atlantique), in December 2022, then connect in video with the rest of the team, in order to choose by mutual agreement, and at the After a three-hour selection, the right candidate: cute, sociable and cuddly.
A pretext for conversation
Beyond the service, the presence of the dog promotes contact between poles which, until now, did not mix, as with HR. “I’ve been here for thirty years, and I’ve met people thanks to himsays Isabelle Fromantin. We break down. »
When the dog crosses the corridor, the hands of the patients, all suffering from cancer, reach out to caress his soft fur. Dr Lea Pauly already notice the influence of this little companion, which allows you to forget the too long waits, the doubts aroused by the disease. When he is there, the dog is often used as a pretext to start a conversation. “The Covid has locked people up, there is less touch and connection. When they come for consultation, there is a kind of distance, because we are masked, we no longer see our face. Finding a form of social connection is essential.she believes.
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