THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Davao and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) rolled out Angel Pets, an animal-assisted therapy program to aid survivors of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Initially established in Metro Manila at facilities such as Marillac Hills, Angel Pets is now expanding to Davao and Cebu.
The program specifically uses trained therapy pets, called “Doctor Dogs,” to help improve mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and support the healing of DSWD clients.
“Angel Pets utilizes animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to provide emotional and psychological support to residents in DSWD-managed centers, with a specific focus on women and children dealing with severe trauma,” Anne Y. Jickain, RSW, OIC of the Innovations Division, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw on April 6.
Jickain said pets often help survivors feel safe enough to open up and engage more deeply with their healing process.
Chanin Parian, DSWD XI Social Technology Unit head, said the dogs underwent rigorous standards to ensure they are fit for therapeutic environments.
“Every dog is required to pass a strict temperament test to prove they are exceptionally calm, obedient, and friendly for therapeutic work,” Parian said.
Local dog owners interested in volunteering are advised to attend a major recruitment and screening event for “Doctor Dogs” scheduled for May 27, 2026, at the DSWD XI office.
She added that the program requires both the dogs and their human handlers to possess specific certifications and qualities mandated for therapeutic work.
For instance, human handlers must be at least 18 years old, responsible, and committed to program activities, and dogs must be at least two years old, healthy and fully vaccinated, and already spayed or neutered.
Basic obedience skills are required, and all dogs are required to pass the official Doctor Dog examination before deployment in residential care facilities of DSWD Davao, including the Home for Girls and Women, which serves abuse survivors.
