The Reunited Pet Cabin at Mater Dei Hospital, a space where patients will be able to interact with their pets, will be sponsored by Nestlé Purina.

The cabin is the brainchild of Sarah Cachia, co-founder of the support group Survivors Malta who sought the help of JCI Malta, a registered voluntary organisation led by young active citizens, to create a fundraising campaign.

The cabin will be built in one of the hospital’s courtyards and will allow patients given the go-ahead by their doctors to bring their dogs for a visit. Plans for sessions with therapeutic dogs are also in the pipeline.

Pet interaction has been proven to be therapeutic in helping patients, making the hospital surroundings less lonely and more like one’s home. A more familiar surrounding helps patients towards the road to recovery.

Alfred Borg, Nestlé Malta’s marketing and corporate communications manager, said the sponsorship was in line with Purina’s core values of educating society on the important role animals could play in our daily life. “When Sarah briefed us about the project, we were immediately captivated and pledged our support towards this noble cause. Furthermore, given Purina’s passion for animals, we wanted to be at the forefront to explore this opportunity to bring together patients and their pets,” Mr Borg said.

The sponsorship of the Reunited Pet Cabin also forms part of a number of initiatives aimed at marking 150 years of Nestlé’s passion for nutrition and its commitment to bringing good food and a good life to billions of consumers worldwide.