A double ribbon-cutting ceremony took place yesterday on Via San Nicolò for the Killia family home. Two distinct yet integrated services were inaugurated, designed to meet the needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors: the Pet Therapy Center and the new Day Center for adults with disabilities. Deputy Mayor Gabriella Mameli of Selargius was also present at the ceremony.
Leading the project is Simona Cao, president of Killia and a veterinarian specializing in animal-assisted interventions. "With these two new facilities, we want to provide the local community with services that address the individual's needs and abilities," Cao explained. "The Pet Therapy Center was born from the need to create a place specifically dedicated to animal-assisted interventions in Sardinia, where educational, recreational, and therapeutic activities can be designed and delivered by qualified personnel, in compliance with national guidelines and regional regulations."
The program offers a wide range of services: specialized after-school programs for special needs and children with disabilities, specific educational programs, support for independence, support for children with behavioral problems, support during times of bereavement or vulnerability, recreational and educational sessions for seniors and those with disabilities. Tailor-made small-group activities are also available through Program 162, Law 20, Sine Limes, and other funding sources.
Next door is a new day center for adults with disabilities, with a maximum capacity of ten people to ensure personalized care. In addition to the educational staff, a caregiver is always available for personal care and assistance, and transportation is provided via an accessible minibus. The center will integrate socio-educational activities with nature- and sensory-related services: creative and sensory workshops, motor and psychomotor activities, horticultural therapy, music therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted interventions, and community outings. "The day center was born from the care and dedication of those who live with disabilities every day and know what it means to entrust their loved ones to another, with the goal of building a life plan together," concludes Cao.