The Leme Programme, according to the president of the Portuguese Association for Intervention with Animals of Social Aid (Ânimas), Abílio Leite, “is pioneering in Portugal in interventions assisted by animals with patients hospitalized in Forensic Psychiatry", dealing in this first phase "with patients between 22 and 65 years old".

With the goal of "making these people relearn social skills, such as knowing how to wait for their turn, respecting others or knowing how to listen", the results of the programme "are very positive", stressed Abílio Leite.

The interaction took place in the hospital and "promoted various activities that taught them to train dogs and various team games, among other strategies," he said.