Who we are

Behind every activity are dedicated people and therapy dogs trained with responsibility and care. Together we form handler–dog teams that work to bring trust, joy, and support to our beneficiaries.

Meet the Dog4You team!

West & Balogh Éva Zita

Labrador Retriever • Internationally certified therapy dog

The first steps toward change begin with a paw reaching out.

West is one of the therapy dogs of the Dog4You – Paws that Heal Association. His training began in 2020 under the guidance of psychologist and handler Éva Zita Balogh, through an extensive socialization and training process carried out in Satu Mare, Romania, followed by specialized courses at the Baráthegyi Guide Dog School in Miskolc, Hungary.

In 2023, West earned his international therapy dog certification, becoming one of the very few dogs in Romania certified at this level. That same year, he became the first internationally certified dog to carry out activities in a public educational institution – an inclusive special-needs school – helping to promote animal-assisted interventions within the Romanian education system.

Together with Éva Zita, he takes part in activities and interventions for typically developing children, children with disabilities, and people in vulnerable situations, showing every day that empathy and trust can change lives.

„With an always-wagging tail and a huge heart, West reminds us that sometimes the most important changes begin with a simple paw reaching out.”

Balogh Éva Zita

Psychologist • Founder of Dog4You • Therapy dog handler

Psychologist and founder of the Dog4You – Paws that Heal Association, Éva Zita has been promoting animal-assisted interventions in Romania for more than five years. She coordinates programs for typically developing children, children with disabilities, and vulnerable people, trains handler–dog teams, and contributes to the professional development of this field.

Adam & Laura Hardalău

Labrador Retriever • Therapy dog • The first speech-therapy dog in Romania

A team united by a passion for children and animal-assisted therapy. I am Laura, a speech therapist, and together with Adam I form a team dedicated to children who need support in developing communication and language.

I met Adam a year and a half ago, and from our very first meeting he impressed me with his gentleness, balance, and ability to form a genuine connection with people. I immediately understood he had the qualities to become an exceptional partner in animal-assisted therapy.

Our training began in Satu Mare, with the Angel Dog Association, where we completed six months of preparation. Our wish to offer the best possible interventions then led us to travel weekly to Miskolc, Hungary, for a full year, to train further alongside experienced specialists.

Throughout this journey we were guided with patience and professionalism by our mentors: Éva Zita Balogh together with her therapy dog West, as well as Emese Királyné Barkóczi and Lehel Nagy. We are deeply grateful for the trust, support, and knowledge they gave us.

Today, Adam is the first speech-therapy dog in Romania and a valuable partner in speech-therapy sessions. His presence helps children feel safe, stay motivated, and take part in therapeutic activities with joy. Through his calmness and empathy, Adam turns every session into a positive experience, where learning blends naturally with play.

Wanting to bring innovative methods into speech-therapy practice, we created together the speech-therapy kit “Articulation Exercises with Adam, the Speech-Therapy Dog”, launched at the Logopedia 360 National Conference in Bucharest.

We firmly believe that the relationship between humans and dogs can become an extraordinary resource in the therapeutic process. Together, Laura and Adam bring professionalism, patience, trust, and plenty of joy to every session, contributing to the harmonious development of every child.

Nina & Nagy Lehel

Labrador Retriever • Therapy dog • Trainer & Handler

A team united by trust, experience, and a passion for animal-assisted therapy.

Nina is a Labrador Retriever and one of the therapy dogs of the Dog4You – Paws that Heal Association. With her balanced temperament, gentleness, and eagerness to interact with people, Nina helps create a safe and friendly environment for every beneficiary.

Together with her handler, Nagy Lehel from Satu Mare, she has formed a dedicated team for animal-assisted activities and interventions for more than 3 years. Together they take part in the programs run by the Dog4You Association in schools, inclusive special-needs schools, educational centers, and other community events, alongside West and Adam.

Nagy Lehel is a therapy-dog trainer and one of the experienced collaborators of the Dog4You Association. He played an essential role in selecting and preparing West from his very first months of life, contributing to the journey that led to his international certification.

Through their accumulated experience and constant involvement, Lehel and Nina support the development of animal-assisted interventions in Romania and help train well-prepared teams, where the wellbeing of the dogs and the needs of beneficiaries always come first.

„Trust between handler and dog is the foundation of every successful intervention, and every activity is a new opportunity to bring joy and hope.”

Masa & Szűcs Krisztina

Labrador Retriever • Experienced therapy dog

Experience, gentleness, and a presence that inspires trust.

Masa is a 6-year-old black Labrador Retriever and one of the therapy dogs of the Dog4You – Paws that Heal Association. With extensive experience in animal-assisted activities, Masa stands out for the calm, balance, and patience with which she interacts with every beneficiary.

Together with her handler, Szűcs Krisztina, she forms a team dedicated to promoting animal-assisted interventions and actively takes part in the association’s programs in schools, educational centers, and community events. Through professionalism and dedication, they help create positive experiences for children and people in vulnerable situations.

The experience gathered over the years makes Masa a trusted partner in assisted-therapy activities, and the bond she has built with Krisztina shows just how important the collaboration between handler and dog is for the success of every intervention.

„Experience, patience, and trust turn every meeting into a valuable experience for those who need support.”

Zara & Balogh Éva Zita

Labrador Retriever • Therapy dog

A team that carries forward experience, patience, and the joy of helping.

Zara is a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever and one of the therapy dogs of the Dog4You – Paws that Heal Association. Gentle, balanced, and attentive to people’s needs, Zara joined the team after a training journey built with patience and dedication.

Together with her handler, Éva Zita Balogh, psychologist and founder of the association, Zara takes part in animal-assisted activities and interventions carried out in schools, inclusive special-needs schools, educational centers, and community projects.

During her training, Zara worked alongside West, learning through observation and experience next to one of the most experienced dogs on the team. Working with him in numerous activities, she developed the calm, patience, and confidence a therapy dog needs. Today, Zara continues this mission with the same dedication, offering support, comfort, and joy to every beneficiary she meets.

Together, Éva Zita and Zara contribute to the development of animal-assisted interventions in Romania, showing that every therapy dog has its own personality, and every team can change lives through empathy, professionalism, and respect.

„Every therapy dog writes its own story, and Zara carries forward the lessons learned from West, turning every meeting into an experience full of trust and hope.”

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