The Healing Power of Animals
It is common knowledge among animal lovers that animals are good for the human soul. I’m thinking of Norman, a Haflinger who spent the rest of his life at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. There was a very sick woman who came to Henndorf from Munich almost every weekend because she always felt good and happy after visiting Norman and her depression got better and better over time and became less and less important.
I also think of the many visitors who enjoy the infectious calm among the free-roaming animals and sometimes let it happen: to be infected by the calm, cheerfulness and calmness of the animals. Aiderbichl and its animals have a special effect on stressed, sick and lonely people who visit us.
The "Malteser Heart's Desire Ambulance"
fulfilled a special wish
A couple had their heart’s desire fulfilled. At the end of October, they travelled from Mühldorf am Inn to Gut Aiderbichl Iffeldorf in a Malteser ambulance. Robert now lives in a care home and is confined to his wheelchair, while his wife Renate uses a walking frame.
The couple’s heart’s desire was to visit the cat house in Iffeldorf. Their favourite animals are the cats. They can no longer look after cats themselves, but their favourite pets have always been the house cats.
Cuddly hormones in the cat house at Gut Aiderbichl Iffeldorf
Animals sense us humans and so it was not difficult for the large cat family in Iffeldorf to realise very quickly that the couple were particularly dear guests in the cat living room. Purring, the cats crept up to their guests and the Malteser volunteers. The visit to the cat house turned into a real “purring concert” by the cats and particularly touching scenes with their guests.
Petting was the order of the day and the cats even sat on Mr Adelsberger’s wheelchair, which immediately brought a gentle and warm smile to his face.
Cheerful scenes with the cheeky donkeys in the stable lane
Donkeys, ponies and even goats show no fear of contact with wheelchairs or a rollator. On the contrary, they stand next to people, rest their heads on their shoulders or even on their laps – depending on what the person allows.
The donkeys and ponies from Iffeldorf brought a liberating cheerfulness to the group and Florian the pony even tried to steal gingerbread from the bag.
Touching scenes with the Iffeldorf camels
Camelids are known for their ability to sense and counteract stress and other human emotions. It is not only the camels’ soft, cuddly fur, but in particular their calming charisma that can put sick or stressed people into a certain calming mode.
"Because closeness counts" - Malteser International fulfils hearts' desires
Malteser International employs specially trained volunteers from the medical and hospice sectors. They support children, young people and adults with a life-shortening illness and fulfil their heartfelt wishes.
Dreams and wishes take on a different dimension
Seeing the sea again, meeting loved ones, experiencing animals – the Malteser staff turn a dream into an unforgettable experience for those affected and vehicles suitable for the excursion take the guests where they can no longer go themselves.
The philosophy - helping and supporting the weak
People in need of care in nursing homes have little contact with the outside world. An excursion with the “Malteser Heart’s Desire Ambulance” brings variety into the monotonous everyday life – no matter where the excursion goes: to a mountain or to the animals at Gut Aiderbichl.
By: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
