The Davao Dog Lovers Community has enlisted as a volunteer in the city’s drug prevention and rehabilitation program in a bid to help drug reformists totally recover.
That is, with the help of dogs.
Floyd Bascones, vice president of the community, told the Kapehan sa Davao that they are reaching out to drug reformists and surrenderees because of the positive and life-changing benefits of dog companionship in their journey to complete recovery.
According to Bascones aside from their projects they also have an advocacy of pushing Davao to be ‘pet-friendly’ city to increase awareness on responsible pet ownership.
He added that this is the first time that dog owners and their dogs will be part of drug rehabilitation and prevention program of the government.
“Our advocacy as a private sector that voluntarily submitted ourselves for a positive impact in our city and formed jointly by the Happy Animals Club and the Davao City Anti Drug Abuse Council that aims to bring awareness to schools, barangays, rehab and care centers and communities regarding responsible pet ownership, benefits of pet companionship, rabies prevention, animal welfare and pet adoption,” said Bascones.
“There as so many benefits in taking care of a dog for the drug reformist a dog companionship of help for the drug reformist experiencing anxiety and depression based on the study that taking care of a dog releases happy hormones,” he added.
According to Bascones having a dog is not easy and it is expensive just to maintain their needs but in return it will taught you to become responsible, physically fit, and it is a good vice for drug reformist to start a new live and encouraging them to adopt dogs since they have lots of dogs in the shelter who seeks for a home and family.
He added that last Saturday K9 unit visited 53 Drug Reformists during their Healing and Recovery Camp at Camp Alano,Toril, Davao City, organized by the Ateneo de Davao University’s Center Against Illegal Drugs in partnership with the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council teach 53 drug reformist to practice dog obedience remove the stigma of a person to be afraid in dogs and teaching the drug reformist how to take care of a dog.
