Here comes Doctor Dog: DSWD OKs 11 dogs for Angel Pets Program in Cebu

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has identified 11 canine companions that will serve as “Doctor Dogs” for the agency’s Angel Pets Program in Cebu City.

In a statement, the DSWD said evaluators conducted a temperament test last April 8 at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II (AVRC II) in Barangay Labangon.

This is to assess the suitability of volunteer dogs of various breeds for animal-assisted therapy under the Angel Pets Program.

Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus, Dachshunds, Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Poodles and Aspins took part in the screening while their owners attended a special orientation to understand the specific guidelines of the initiative.

“These newly chosen animals will play a critical role in our structured interventions to enhance the emotional well-being of our clients,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao.

The DSWD’s Angel Pets Program is recognized as the first locally documented animal-assisted therapy program in the Philippines and is part of the agency’s efforts to explore alternative and compassionate methods of care.

It is implemented in partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

The Angel Pets Program provides animal-assisted therapy sessions to vulnerable sectors. Doctor Dogs are specially-trained dogs that “deliver positive experiences and therapeutic benefits,” according to the DSWD website.

The agency stressed that the program highlights the “positive outcomes of the bond between humans and trained Doctor Dogs to enhance the well-being and resilience of highly vulnerable individuals.”

“Integrating trained pets into our facilities allows us to offer an innovative approach to healing that complements our existing psychosocial services,” Dumlao said.

Representatives from the PAWS, DSWD’s Social Technology Bureau (STB), DSWD Field Office (FO) 7 – Central Visayas Social Technology Unit (STU), and the Island Rescue Organization (IRO) facilitated the assessment to gauge how the dogs respond to different social triggers.

“The unconditional love that these Doctor Dogs bring can break down walls that traditional therapies sometimes struggle to penetrate,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

The DSWD will deploy the successful canine candidates to conduct regular therapeutic sessions with selected residents at the Home for Girls in Central Visayas.

Aside from helping trauma survivors process their experiences, the program also incorporates advocacy campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership in communities.

“We are finalizing preparations for a wider regional scale-up this June so we can bring this specialized emotional support to more people,” Dumlao added. — JMA, GMA News