レッスンを予約する
Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
Donkeys that heal: France’s unusual therapy program
A hospital near Paris has been using donkeys to help patients with mental health conditions — and the results have been impressive.
The program is run at Ville-Evrard hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne, where patients with conditions such as depression and anxiety take part in sessions with five donkeys. During the sessions, patients walk with the animals and care for them so that they can build confidence and improve their emotional well-being.
The program was started in 2016 by Ermelinda Hadey, a nurse specializing in mental health, and her husband François, who believed that donkeys, known for being calm and social, would make ideal therapy animals. Since 2022, it has had official status as a healthcare unit, allowing three full-time nurses to be employed there.
Patients say the sessions have made a real difference. "You stop thinking about everything else," said Nathalie, 60. Another patient, Jérôme, 52, said the program has reduced his loneliness and helped him stay active.
Walking together allows patients and health workers to develop a deeper relationship. “We talk about many different things, their illness, their lives and just about everything else," said nursing student Alicia Fabi.
Ermelinda Hadey stressed that animal therapy does not replace medical treatment, but that more research is needed in order to have it formally recognized by the psychiatric community.
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Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
impressive
印象的な、素晴らしい
making you feel admiration and respect
The students' performance at the school concert was really impressive.
学校のコンサートでの生徒たちの演奏は本当に素晴らしかった。
depression
うつ病
a medical condition in which a person feels very sad and anxious and often has physical symptoms such as being unable to sleep, etc.
My friend started seeing a doctor after being diagnosed with depression.
友人はうつ病と診断された後、医師のもとに通い始めた。
well-being
健康と幸福、ウェルビーイング
the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
Regular exercise and enough sleep are important for your emotional well-being.
定期的な運動と十分な睡眠は、心の健康にとって大切です。
specialize in
〜を専門とする
to become an expert in a particular area of work, study, etc.
She wants to specialize in children's education when she becomes a teacher.
彼女は教師になったら子どもの教育を専門にしたいと思っている。
psychiatric
精神医学の
relating to the study and treatment of mental illness
The clinic offers psychiatric support for people dealing with stress and anxiety.
そのクリニックはストレスや不安を抱えている人々に精神医学的なサポートを提供している。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
Where is the therapy program located, and what kind of patients does it help?
How has the program changed since it first started?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Have you ever felt better after spending time with an animal? What was the experience like?
Do you think animal therapy is an effective way to help people with mental health conditions? Why or why not?
What other types of activities do you think could help people dealing with mental health issues?
The program uses donkeys because they are calm and social. What qualities do you think are important in a therapy animal?
Do you agree that scientific research is important for new types of medical treatment?