An original association, “Les chouettes du cœur” travels through the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region with its animals, to bring some comfort to the elderly. An association and enthusiasts that we followed during an animal mediation session in Dijon (Côte-d’Or).
It was a unique experience that we experienced that day, during the filming of a sequence for the program “En Terre Animale”, devoted to the animals of our region.
We had an appointment at the Cos Saint-Philibert residence in Dijon, a residence for the elderly.
Hubert Josselin and his wife, the main actors of the association “Owls of the Heart” welcome us. The couple shines and even before seeing them work with their birds, we feel in them this desire to provide pleasure to others, to send good energies, and of course, to share their passion for owls and owls.
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In the room reserved for the occasion, about fifteen residents are waiting. They don’t really know what awaits them. They have understood that we were going to present them with birds but do not know how it will happen.
After a few brief explanations, Hubert Josselin goes to look for the first bird, an owl which he presents to the residents, the animal perched on his arm.
Almost immediately the faces light up, the smiles appear on the faces, and this is only the beginning.
Each resident can pet the animal, and some are even lucky enough to have it on their shoulder or on their arm.
It’s really an incredible experience, I never thought I could do this in my life, it’s an experience that will remain engraved.
François Grenier, resident
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The morning will continue with other birds, owls and owls, whose animators will not fail to detail the difference. The visual distinction between the two is made thanks to the egrets, these little tufts of feathers which look like ears but which are not. Owls have them, but owls don’t!
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Then comes the highlight of the morning, the flight of the raptor.
In front of the residents, Hubert stands on one side of the room and his wife on the opposite. Owl on his arm, he waits for the right moment and when Françoise gives the signal, the bird of prey takes off to come and rest on his arm after having flown over the residents. Clamor in the room, applause and laughter. It had been a long time since faces lit up like this.
Then, in the minutes that follow, the volunteers will be able to live the experience. It is on their own arm that the owl will come to rest, a moment out of time, almost unreal.
It reminds me of my childhood, there were owls in the bell tower in front of my house, I often watched them. But I’ve never approached them, there, I can observe them, touch them, it’s incredible.
Elisabeth Boisselet, centenary resident
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Incredible, magical, unexpected… So many superlatives used by the residents. After two years of the covid-19 health crisis, the bodies and minds of these elderly people have been put to the test, so this animal mediation session does them a lot of good.
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Évelyne actively participated in the demonstration by volunteering for the raptor to land on her arm. When it was necessary for its owner to recover it, things got complicated.
I would like to keep it, I would like to keep it, it’s so good.
Evelyne Pierrcy, resident
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But the session has already lasted a long time and the animals must be put to rest. For Hubert and Françoise of the association “Les chouettes du cœur”, this type of action is only possible by respecting the animal, its needs and its rhythms of life.
These animals were born in captivity and were “impregnated” by the presence of man from birth. They bring a lot of happiness to the people they meet.
We always try to set up original entertainment for our residents, but it’s true that this one with owls and owls is very different. They participate a lot and the faces light up. It’s awesome.
Annie Achard, director of the Cos-Saint-Philibert residence in Dijon
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With the animals of the association, Hubert and Françoise travel a lot through the region. They are passionate about birds and doing animal mediation with them was obvious. Because they know what animals bring them, they also know what they can bring to others.
Full TV report Saturday April 9, 11:25 a.m. “In Animal Land” on France3 Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. VSRed-SFR 436 and 442, Bouygues: 475 and 481, Orange and Sosh: 306 and 312, Free: 307 and 313.
Replay of the show on France.tv
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