DSWD and PAWS are committed to animal-assisted therapy for young girls, women in healthcare settings

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has jointly launched a new program with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) that will provide animal-assisted therapy to children and women in the agency’s residential care facilities.

In the memorandum of understanding (MOA) signed on Sunday (October 6) at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera formalized the implementation of ‘Angel Pets’.

“A lot of people were wondering because you saw a lot of people wearing red vests and running around after the DSWD. It doesn’t seem like the type of event you’ll see DSWD. You see us in emergencies, conducting relief efforts… There are more similarities between PAWS and DSWD than people think,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his speech when he introduced the Angel Pets program.

The Angel Pets, in collaboration with Dr. Dog Program of PAWS, which aims to improve the emotional and psychological well-being of the agency’s clients, especially the young girls of the Marillac Hills – National Training School for Girls (NTSG) in Muntinlupa City, and women at the Sanctuary Center in Mandaluyong City, the two pilot CRCFs for the program implementation.

“First, like PAWS, DSWD wants to create a better place for all of us, whether you are a two-legged individual or a four-legged friend. Second, we always believe that DSWD, like PAWS, fights for those who cannot speak for themselves,” the DSWD chief explained.

The Marillac Hills – NTSG is a center that provides residential care and rehabilitation to minor girls from 7 to 17 years old, who have survived sexual abuse, human trafficking and children in conflict with the law.

The Sanctuary Center is a 24-hour residential care center that serves as a refuge and home for abandoned, neglected and unattached adult women with enhanced psychosocial disabilities, aged 18 years and older.

“Just like our four-legged friends, our clients have experienced exploitation, abuse, pain and trauma,” said Minister Gatchalian.

According to the DSWD head, the Angel Pets is an advanced program that Dr. Dogs will engage to do the therapy for the agency’s clients.

“There are so many anecdotal stories about how pets can calm us down and how therapeutic it is to have pets. But no one has actually documented it in a long-term study in the Philippines… Hopefully this research can help us better understand how pets can actually heal not only those who undergo severe trauma, but also help us manage the balance between work and personal life,” the DSWD chief emphasized.

Angel Pets is an intervention strategy focused on the animal-assisted therapy program. It is designed to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable groups by incorporating positive and enjoyable interactions with animals into therapeutic and supportive processes in selected DSWD centers and residential care homes.

“We also believe that there are many good doers within PAWS and there are many good doers within DSWD. Magkaiba lang siguro yung kliyente natin, but essentially, as I said, we are trying to create a better place for everyone,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The Angel Pets program involves a series of animal-assisted interventions aimed at improving the individual’s psychological well-being through interaction with volunteer Dr. Dogs.

The DSWD has a total of 76 CRCFs nationwide that are owned and operated by the agency and cater to all sectors from children to the elderly.

“These are healthcare institutions where abused, neglected women, children, seniors and people with disabilities are housed,” said Minister Gatchalian.