MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Human-Animal Bond Institute (PHABI), the non-profit organization behind Communitails, has been awarded a grant from the Royal Canin Foundation to advance Brave Tails, a pioneering animal-assisted services program supporting trauma survivors and their care providers in the Philippines—marking the first time a Philippine and Southeast Asian initiative has been selected for support by the Foundation.
The grant represents a significant step in strengthening trauma-informed care approaches in the country, where survivors of abuse and exploitation often face long-term psychosocial challenges, compounded by limited access to mental health support. Through structured interactions with trained therapy animals, Brave Tails offers a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing and overall well-being.
Addressing a critical need through the human-animal bond
In the Philippines, survivors of trauma and their networks of care often face complex emotional and psychological burdens. Care providers and frontline workers are likewise at risk of burnout and secondary trauma.
Brave Tails, implemented through Communitails responds to this need by advancing trauma-informed animal-assisted services, harnessing the human-animal bond to support recovery and resilience for both survivors and those who care for them.
“Designed around the principle of mutual healing, Brave Tails uplifts the well-being of all participants, such as survivors, care providers, therapy animals, and their human stewards. By cultivating a practice of caring for animals, self, and others, the initiative creates emotionally safe, brave, and restorative spaces that promote trust, belonging, and meaning,” said Rohani Navarro, Philippine Human-Animal Bond Institute (PHABI) president.
A global foundation supporting impact-driven initiatives
The Royal Canin Foundation supports initiatives worldwide that highlight the positive role of cats and dogs in human health and welfare and initiatives that support the work of search and rescue dogs.
Each year, the Foundation selects and funds new projects aligned with its focus areas, following a rigorous evaluation and review process that assesses impact, feasibility, sustainability and pet welfare.
In 2026, the Foundation continues to expand its global reach by backing initiatives that address diverse human health needs, including programs supporting war-affected communities in Ukraine, therapeutic interventions for elderly care in Spain, and cat therapy for hospitalized children in Italy.
The inclusion of Brave Tails places the Philippines alongside these global initiatives, reflecting the growing recognition of animal-assisted approaches in supporting human health and wellbeing.
“At the Royal Canin Foundation, we support initiatives that highlight the role of pets in human health and welfare. Brave Tails is a strong example of how the human-animal bond can meaningfully support wellbeing in sensitive contexts,” Carlos Andres-Luna, Royal Canin Foundation president, said.
Enabling impact at scale
Through the Foundation grant, PHABI will expand Brave Tails to reach more survivors and care providers, strengthen its trauma-informed animal-assisted services, and advance sustainable, evidence-based approaches to support wellbeing in the Philippines.
The program builds on PHABI’s work through Communitails in advancing the human-animal bond across healthcare, education, and community settings, while promoting both human wellbeing and ethical animal care.
The grant further reinforces the ongoing collaboration between Royal Canin Philippines and Communitails, grounded in a shared commitment to advancing responsible pet care, community wellbeing, and education on the role of pets in society. Previous initiatives have included outreach and advocacy efforts such as storybook reading programs and community education initiatives that promote empathy and responsible pet ownership.
“Our partnership with Communitails reflects a shared commitment to both human and animal wellbeing.
We are proud to see a Philippines-led initiative gain global recognition and support through this grant,” added Gerard Poa, Royal Canin Philippines market head
Advancing a shared purpose
Together, the Royal Canin Foundation and its partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that demonstrate the positive impact of pets on human health worldwide.
The Foundation also aims to advance knowledge and understanding of the human-animal bond, contributing to insights that can be shared globally to ultimately benefit both people and pets. By funding programs such as Brave Tails, the Foundation contributes to building healthier, more resilient communities.
