Book documents how animals provide support to vulnerable people in Spain

Journalist Martín Sanz and photographer Juan Carlos Soler published a book featuring ten real stories of people in the Alicante province of Spain who rely on animals for companionship and emotional support.

The book documents the lives of individuals assisted by the Red Cross, as well as volunteers and professionals who work with the organization. These stories describe how the bond between humans and animals becomes stronger during difficult periods.

For example, the book tells the story of a man named Miguel who relies on a dog named Ona while trying to overcome addiction. It also profiles a woman named Dora who works with a horse named Rayo to overcome her blindness. The authors also address how the organization manages animals during major emergencies.

Andrés Chessa Favre, the head of the Red Cross Emergency Unit in Alicante, noted that the group had to manage these animals during the 2024 floods in Valencia. During that disaster, the organization opened 12 simultaneous shelters to house various animals, including dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, pigs, and rabbits. The project began after a report about homeless people living with animals on the streets.

The publication was produced with the cooperation of the company Vectalia and the Official College of Veterinarians of Alicante. It aims to show how the affection and solidarity provided by animals can act as a lifeline for people facing extreme circumstances.