Cosmos, the first canine mediator at Musée Anne-de-Beaujeu

Since April 2025, the Musée Anne-de-Beaujeu in Moulins has employed Cosmos, a young Australian Shepherd, as the first canine mediator in a French cultural institution. His owner, Julie Courtinat, a mediator at the museum, conceived the idea with colleague Émilie Boudet as part of their accessibility initiatives. Cosmos serves as a non-judgmental facilitator for visitors with disabilities, behavioral disorders, or other challenges, helping them feel secure and engaged during guided tours and cultural workshops. The dog was acclimated to the museum environment and trained in appropriate behavior before interacting with children, adolescents, and adults from medico-educational institutes and social care structures. Early results show remarkable success: visitors who previously remained silent, such as adults from a day hospital, began speaking to Cosmos and eventually to the mediators. The initiative has garnered interest from cultural professionals and enthusiastic feedback from target audiences. This pioneering effort aligns with a broader trend in French museums to enhance accessibility, such as the Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon's app for autistic visitors and the Musée de la Marine's sensory-friendly spaces. The museum also offers twice-weekly sessions with reduced scent, sound, and light for sensitive visitors.