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.
