Established in 2024, the Dogs Heal Project is a private initiative celebrating the healing bond between humans and dogs. It provides information and education on the healing capacity of the human-dog connection and the role of oxytocin as a healing hormone.
Dogs Heal supports dog rescue and adoption projects in Portugal, mainly the Terra Canis Dog Sanctuary in Tamera and soon also the Canil in Odemira.
We are proud to announce that a new collaboration was started on July 11th 2025 between Dogs Heal and Created Totenique, a queer community and retreat center in Alentejo, Portugal.
Queer people from across Portugal and around the world gather in Totenique, a little Portuguese settlement nestled into a lush green valley full of majestic cork oaks and eucalyptus trees. The atmosphere of this magical place is warm and welcoming.
I was invited by my friends Ronny and Wende, the founders of the project, to discuss their vision of a queer community and retreat center in the Alentejo. Wende and Ronny are planning workshops and courses on natural building and gardening, queer community and a wide range of other topics. We easily discovered common ground and agreed to collaborate. 🌈
A Queer Sanctuary in the Alentejo
Created Totenique are currently looking for more strong people willing to co-create a queer community with them. Please write a message for more information.
Created Totenique is a sanctuary created by queer people for queer people and it will also be a space where people can begin their journey with their companion dog.
Dogs Heal helps Created Totenique‘s guests to find a companion dog in nearby shelters in Portugal.🇵🇹
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💞 Why this matters
We believe that rescue goes both ways.
That a dog can help someone feel grounded, safe, and loved.
And that a person can give a dog the home and companionship it deserves.
We also believe that queer people need and deserve spaces made just for them.
Spaces like
Created Totenique.
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This new programm will be starting soon.
Please write a message for more information.
Please support my friends‘ Go Fund Me:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-building-created-totenique-queer-community
And check out Ronny’s AirBnB:
https://www.wefindyourtribe.com/blog/visit-ronnys-abandoned-village-in-portugal
https://youtu.be/jJZnpoGzkLM?si=AJYPU9EC4JFcUtqA