More than
20 years ago, Tatjana Kreidler laid the base for a revolutionary idea in Europe
– the training of assistance dogs especially for children. When VITA e. V. was
founded, it was the first association on the European continent to be certified
according to the internationally recognised quality standards of the umbrella
organisation Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu).
Tatjana
Kreidler's inspiration for VITA came during her studies and diploma thesis on
"Dogs as Helpers and Healers of Human Beings". She completed a
comprehensive training as an assistance dog trainer with renowned charity
organisations such as "Dogs for the Disabled" and "Guide Dogs
for the Blind" in England. There she was convinced of the possibilities
and training methods. Even then, she made the decision to found a similar association
in Germany, which provides disabled people with an assistance dog and helps
them to achieve more independence and social integration.
Tatjana
Kreidler went one step further and also included physically disabled children
and young people in her project in contrast to the English model. This was new
territory for her, because in England people doubted the maturity of dogs and
children and did not trust them to take responsibility for each other. But the
success of VITA spoke for itself. The training of children's teams became
pioneering work throughout Europe and also convinced other organisations. By
the beginning of 2023, VITA had trained a total of 37 children's teams.
Based on
her basic idea, Tatjana Kreidler developed a special method to achieve sensitisation
and real partnership between humans and dogs. This method shows impressive
results, not only with adults but especially with children. The assistance dogs
often work small miracles, be it on a psychological, physical, social or
cognitive level.
Tatjana
Kreidler and VITA e. V. have significantly shaped the assistance dog sector for
children with their ground-breaking work. They have not only overcome barriers
and created opportunities, but also touched the hearts and lives of many people
and changed them.
