For people recovering from trauma, support can take many forms. Through trained therapy dogs and carefully guided interactions, a new Philippine initiative aims to explore how the human-animal bond can complement care for survivors and the people who support them.

Brave Tails, a program developed by the Philippine Human-Animal Bond Institute (PHABI) through its nonprofit initiative Communitails, has received a grant from the Royal Canin Foundation. It is the first initiative from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to receive support from the global foundation, marking a milestone for locally led efforts that examine the role of animals in human health and well-being.

The program is designed to support survivors of abuse and exploitation, as well as care providers and frontline workers who may experience burnout and secondary trauma. In a country where access to mental health services remains a challenge for many, Brave Tails aims to provide a safe, supportive environment through structured interactions with trained therapy dogs.

The initiative was among the topics explored during “In Good Company with Communitails,” an October gathering hosted by Royal Canin Philippines at the Royal Canin Educational Hub. The event brought together media representatives, advocates, and partners to discuss the program's development, the foundation's mission, and the importance of responsible animal-assisted services.

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria, who has also expressed her advocacy for animal welfare, took part in a therapy animal-assisted session with Hermoso, a therapy dog. The experience offered a closer look at how structured interactions between people and trained animals can form part of a supportive environment.

Unlike informal encounters with pets, Brave Tails follows a structured, trauma-informed approach. It is being developed around trained Human Animal Teams, pairing therapy dogs with the human professionals who work alongside them. Preparation, screening, informed consent, participant safety, and animal-welfare safeguards form part of the program's framework.

“What we’re building through Brave Tails is not simply a series of interactions between people and dogs,” said Dr. Ginger Ramirez, PHABI co-founder. She explained that the foundation's support would help strengthen an approach centered on safety, informed consent, trained teams, and animal welfare.

Communitails is also working with The Paper Project, Inc., which supports communities affected by trauma and adversity. The partnership helps inform the program's development based on the experiences and needs of the people it hopes to reach.

The Paper Project co-founder Atty. Lawrence Aritao emphasized that support must account for different experiences and comfort levels, with safety, choice, consent, and appropriate preparation guiding each interaction.

Established in France in 2020, the Royal Canin Foundation funds expert-led initiatives worldwide that explore how specially trained cats and dogs can improve and protect human lives. Its supported projects include programs for war-affected communities in Ukraine, therapeutic interventions for older adults in Spain, and cat-assisted therapy for hospitalized children in Italy.

With the grant, PHABI plans to expand Brave Tails' reach, strengthen its services, and develop sustainable, evidence-based approaches to animal-assisted support. The initiative is intended to unfold over two years, during which the team will document its experiences and learnings to help build local expertise in the field.

Royal Canin Philippines Country Head Gerard Poa said the program reflects the importance of combining compassion with responsible implementation, community partnerships, and animal welfare.

As Brave Tails moves forward, its approach places the well-being of participating dogs alongside the needs of the people they serve. The animals are treated as members of trained teams, with measures intended to protect their health, comfort, and need for rest.

Through its partnership with the Royal Canin Foundation, Communitails, and The Paper Project, Brave Tails seeks to build a more informed and responsible approach to animal-assisted services in the Philippines, recognizing that caring for people and caring for animals must go hand in hand.