The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) have introduced a new program aimed at helping children and women in government-run residential care facilities.
This program, called “Angel Pets,” focuses on providing animal-assisted therapy to those in need of emotional and psychological support.
Over the weekend, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera formalized this partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA).
The goal is to help clients in the care of DSWD through the positive effects of interacting with therapy dogs.
These therapy sessions are expected to bring comfort and a sense of calm to those who have experienced trauma.
A Focus on Emotional Well-Being
The “Angel Pets” program is set to benefit young girls and women, particularly those who have been through difficult situations.
The first phase of the program will take place in two DSWD residential care facilities: Marillac Hills-National Training School for Girls in Muntinlupa and the Sanctuary Center in Mandaluyong.
These centers care for individuals who have experienced abuse and other challenging circumstances.
The therapy sessions will feature Dr. Dogs—volunteer dogs from PAWS who are trained to help people recover emotionally.
By spending time with these animals, participants can find comfort, support, and relief from stress.
An Innovative Approach to Therapy
DSWD Secretary Gatchalian spoke highly of the “Angel Pets” program during its launch.
He emphasized the new direction this therapy represents for DSWD, highlighting how animals have long been known to bring comfort.
“There are countless stories of how pets can soothe us and how their presence alone can bring about healing,” Gatchalian said.
“Yet, here in the Philippines, we haven’t really studied the long-term benefits of animal-assisted therapy.
This program gives us a chance to see how animals can help not only in times of deep trauma but also in achieving a better balance in life.”
Therapy through Connection
At its core, the “Angel Pets” program is an intervention that uses animal-assisted therapy as part of the healing process.
It’s designed to create a supportive and engaging environment where individuals can begin to recover emotionally.
This program is more than just interaction with animals—it’s a therapeutic experience that supports both emotional recovery and social reintegration.
PAWS’ Dr. Dog Program has been around for years and has proven effective in various settings.
Now, this trusted program is being adapted for use in DSWD facilities, offering a new way to help those in need.
The therapy dogs are carefully selected and trained to offer comfort and connection to the participants, making the healing process more manageable and even enjoyable.
Looking Forward
Both DSWD and PAWS are hopeful that “Angel Pets” will help provide deeper insights into how animals can assist in emotional healing.
The program is expected to bring new opportunities for research into the benefits of animal-assisted therapy in the Philippines.
Through this collaboration, they aim to bring a fresh approach to helping survivors of trauma find peace and stability.
The success of this pilot program could lead to an expansion of “Angel Pets” to other DSWD facilities, giving more individuals across the country the chance to experience the therapeutic benefits of interacting with animals.