St. Joseph's Home Animal Assisted Therapy Briefing

HOPE was invited by St Joseph's Home to speak about animal-assisted therapy. Fiona Foo, founder of HOPE Dog Rescue and trainer of Singapore's very first Hokkien therapy dog, Button, was the speaker at the event. Besides Fiona, some of our volunteers and doggy ambassador, Harper, attended the event. 

Animal-assisted therapy, as the name suggests, is a form of therapy that incorporates animals. It is believed, and backed by numerous studies, that animals make the best therapists! Studies have shown that interactions with animals reduce stress in people. Just playing with or petting animals increases the production of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin, at the same time decreases the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Therapy dogs have been used in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and special schools, helping with healing and rehabilitation by lifting the spirits of the people they meet at these places. 

While various types of animals can be used as therapy animals, dogs are the most common. Therapy dogs are not the same as service dogs. While the latter usually have all the characteristics of a therapy dog, their main purpose is to help humans with disabilities to navigate day-to-day life. Service dogs should not be interacted with while they are working as this may distract them from paying attention to their human's needs. Unlike service dogs, human interaction is encouraged with therapy dogs as they are there to increase the mental and emotional well-being of people other than their handlers. 

That's our little Harper 

While therapy dogs do not require as much training as service dogs, not all dogs are suited to be therapy dogs. Because these dogs are expected to interact with many people who may not know how to interact correctly with dogs, they need to be of stable temperament, friendly and easy-going. They should also not be be excitable as too much excitement may not be good for some of the people they meet, so they should be of a calm disposition. The owner, and handler, of therapy dogs also play a big part as they would be the ones to facilitate the introduction between animal and human.

The talk at St Joseph's Home was to kick-off the animal-assisted therapy program at the home. Come 7 July, we will have our first therapy session at the home. This will be an ongoing program and sessions will take place every first Saturday of the month. Harper will accompany us on these visits as training to see if she is suited to be a therapy dog. 

Written by : Sam

Why People Are Still Buying Dogs?

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

Dog lovers will surely agree when we say this; however many may falter when asked the all-important question, “buy or adopt”. Just as there are many reasons to shop for your dream pooch at your local pet store, there are just as many compelling ones to adopt one! But first, let us look at what lies beneath the innocent facade of cute pet shops and the true origins of “that adorable puppy” in the window.

Two words - puppy mills. These are large-scale, high volume commercial dog breeding facilities where profit is attained at the expense of innocent lives. Bred and raised solely for monetary gains, these puppies and their mummies are kept in shockingly unsanitary and overcrowded conditions which in fact increases their susceptibility to diseases. Surely they get proper food and veterinary care then? The answer is very often NO.

Singapore is also no stranger to such abhorrent scandals. Over the years there have been numerous cases of pet shops and animal farms suspected of breeding puppies in substandard living conditions, with some clear-cut cases of abuse and negligence having surfaced as well. For example, in 2010, a batch of more than 70 malnourished dogs were rescued from an abandoned puppy mill.

Assessments done by Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) has revealed that 83% of local pet farms do not provide basic welfare for animals; this means not ensuring the length of the cage to be at least two times the length of the animal from nose to base of tail, and for the width be at least one-and-a-half times the length of animal.

Despite hearing and knowing about the state of these puppy mills and sad, torturous lives of breeding dogs – many people are still foolishly paying thousands for each dog. Why?

“I’m paying thousands for a pure-bred dog that has ‘papers’ to prove.” It is a known fact that such ‘papers’ may be easily obtained with payment, or even through forgery. The certificate also says nothing about the conditions in which the puppies are bred and raised. In short, there is no guarantee that the “pure-bred” dog you buy is healthy or free from genetic defects. All these papers mean is that breeders and pet shops are “entitled” to sell their puppies at a much higher price.

When you adopt a dog, you spend a miniscule fraction of the cost and not to mention:

• You are giving them a second chance at life; they will be forever thankful!
• You are getting exactly what you see; shelter dogs have been checked and inspected (and sometimes even pee-pad trained), and you will be informed of their health conditions if any    
• You are indirectly helping to put an end to the horrible practice of puppy mills.
• You are making yourself feel good by doing good!

By opening your home and heart to foster a dog, you are spreading and sharing hope and goodwill!

Adora, 3 yrs old, Female

Blake, 4+ yrs old, Male

Brandy, 8 yrs old, Female

Chester, 5 - 6 yrs old, Male

Cody, 5 - 6 yrs old, Male

Harper, 5+ yrs old, Female (Special needs)

Matilda, 4 yrs old, Female

SiDa, 6+ yrs old, Female (Special needs)

Matthieu, 15+ yrs old, Male (Special needs)

Nina, 11 yrs old, Female

Socks, 9 yrs old, Female

Written by : Wee Yen

Aid to Senior Citizens

Hope started out as a dog rescue. Over the years, we have extended our "clientele" to furry pals of the feline nature as well. But it is not just the four-pawed species that we help. We also help the humans we come across in our rescue work that require help themselves. 

Chinnu & Mdm Puspa

We always hear stories of people abandoning their pets like they were yesterday's news. What we hear less of are the stories of those who do all they can to keep their pets, no matter the struggles they have to face or the costs to themselves. These are the people that give us hope that not all is lost for humankind, that there are still people out there who are compassionate and kind. And these are the people we would gladly help.

Mr. Akira

Over the years, we have come across senior citizens and low income families who have pets that they love and would not give up for the world. They would rather scrimp on their own wants and needs than make their pets go hungry or cold. There have been numerous studies showing that keeping pets is beneficial to one's health. Pets can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity. This is great news for people of all ages, but more so the elderly. Walking and playing with their dogs can help them to keep up with their own physical health. Interacting with their dogs (and other dog lovers they meet on their walks) can improve their emotional well-being and provide the mental stimulation that may stave off dementia. 

Benji, the miniature schanuzer

Knowing how these families benefit from having dogs around, and seeing first hand just how much their dogs love them back, we can't help but want to do all we can to keep them together. In the last 5 years, Hope has taken a more active role in helping senior citizens and low income families keep their families, furry companion included, together. We provide dog food and medical aid for the dogs so that these families can use more of their income on their own needs. If the families need other types of assistance, we refer them to the right community welfare organizations. We make sure that they have all the help they need to live well with their dogs. 

Pebbles

There is not a bond so special as that between a dog and its human. This is nowhere more evident then in these cases where material comfort is not a main factor in the relationship and all that keeps a human and his, or her, dog together are pure love for, and the joy they bring to each other. While Hope started out as a dog rescue, our work is not limited to dogs. We will extend our hand to humans who, like us, understand and appreciate the gift that is the dog. If you, too, wish to help these families stay together, email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg for more details.

Written by: Sam

Oh HAPPY Day!!

It does not take a genius to guess the wish we had for Happy when we named her. We wished for happiness to find her. While she has always been a happy pup, her circumstances were less than happy. Abandoned at a young age, it was only by chance that we happened across her (Read her story here). Her luck quickly ran out as potential adopters kept passing her over. Whether they could not look past her colour to the sweet and happy dog that she is or some other irrational reason, she continued to be overlooked at adoption events and had earned herself the title of HOPE's longest resident.

An extremely happy HAPPY!!

But good things come to all who wait, and this cannot be more true for Happy. After patiently waiting for more than 5 years, Happy has finally found her forever family and home! It must have been fate that brought Happy and her new mommy and daddy, Cassandra and Benny together. Cassandra and Benny are not first time dog owners, but they are first time adopters. After their dog passed away, rather than going out and buying another puppy as they have always done, they decided to adopt to make a difference in a dog's life. And Happy happened to be just the dog they were looking for.

Dreams are made of these <3 <3

Adopt, don't shop. "Saving one dog will not save the world, but surely, for that one dog, the world will change forever." Happy's world is now forever changed because Cassandra and Benny decided to adopt. 

HAPPY family <3 <3

We would like to thank Cassandra and Benny for taking a chance on Happy and giving our longest resident her forever home (finally). We sincerely hope that Happy brings happiness to your lives just as we are sure you have brought to hers. And also a big shout out to Zeke and family for fostering Happy and loving her all this while in-lieu of her forever family. 

How nice to finally have a Papa to call her own <3 <3

Words cant express how happy & grateful we all are <3 <3

Written by: Sam

Butter, a Factory Dog

Like the butter on our tables, Butter is a dog that appears ordinary but is actually indispensable and makes everything better. Butter belongs to a pack of four other doggies, each with their own distinct characters. Amongst the pack of four doggies, Butter seems nondescript and subdued. You would not normally pay him special attention as there is a mega hyper puppy and a super sweet and friendly young female dog in the same pack, both vying for your attention. However, you just need to spend some time with Butter and he would totally steal your heart. He is so handsome and sweet. Beneath his tough exterior lies a big softie who craves your affection.

Sweet Butter, with his wound on his left hind

During one of our recent stray feeding rounds, we noticed Butter limping. The sweet boy hobbled out to greet us despite being injured. He even stood still and smiled for us to take a picture of him with his wound. He did not appear to be in pain at all even though his wound was oozing blood. Such is the high pain threshold of stray dogs. 

A deep gash on his leg

We applied some medication for Butter but it did not seem to help much. Blood was still oozing from his wound, which was bigger than the size of a fifty-cent coin. His wound was on his left hind leg and his paws were not sore. Unsure whether Butter’s limp was a result of broken bones or pain from his open wound, we felt the need to send Butter to the vet for a check-up lest there were any broken bones to be mended. After forty-eight hours, the bones would fuse, by which time there would not be much we can do to help Butter walk normally again. Even though the lack of funds was a very real and nagging problem, we just could not bring ourselves to leave Butter with his open wound and limp. What if maggots start infesting his wound? What if there were broken bones to fix? These questions and Butter’s sweet face told us we just had to get Butter treated even though it was midnight and emergency hours charges would kick in. The sooner we got Butter treated, the better his chances of recovery and the less pain he would need to bear with. No Buts about it.

On way to Emergency Vet

Butter was on his best behaviour throughout his car ride to the vet and his time at the vet. He allowed his handler to take smiley pictures of him and the vet to examine him without a single protest. The vet on duty praised Butter too and kept commenting what a shame it was that no one could adopt Butter as he was such a sweet boy.

Fortunately, Butter’s x-rays revealed that he did not suffer any broken bones, probably just some sore muscles. After Butter had his wound cleaned and stitched up, he recuperated for a day at a volunteer’s home before being returned to the loving arms of his caregiver at the factory. The volunteer could not bear to let go of Butter as he was so sweet and gentle, but had to do so as she would be working the next day and there would be no one at home to look after him. Butter would just sit quietly in a corner and wag his tail whenever the volunteer approached him. He would lick her hands too. Such a sweetheart!

Butter at the vet

Butter has now recovered fully and can walk normally again. It has been said that a stitch in time saves nine. Indeed, the nine dogs in Butter’s factory have all benefited from Butter’s wound being stitched up timely. 

Wound stitched nicely

friends welcomed him with waggly tails when we returned Butter to the factory. As we speak though, Butter’s vet bill of $1700 remain unsettled. Would you kindly help us with his vet bills please? Your kind contribution would allow us to butter more loaves of bread for the many more strays waiting to be saved out there. Butter says thank you! *hugs and kisses from Butter*

Good boy, Butter <3

Written by: Weiling

Donut’s Roller Coaster Ride

The past several weeks have been quite a roller coaster ride with Donut.

Watch her latest update here.

Sweet as she is, she is still in the midst of being domesticated

During last month’s review at the vet, we were told that Donut’s x-ray results didn’t look good and we were told to consider that dreadful decision of putting Donut to sleep. We weren’t deterred, however, and brought her for a second opinion. Sadly, the outcome was more or less the same and that set us back quite a bit, though not enough to give up on Donut, of course.

We then started her on acupuncture sessions for a couple of weeks, including a week of special treatment by a famous acupuncturist flown in from Shanghai by a kind rescuer. The sinseh, Dr Jin, believed strongly that Donut will one day walk again as long as we keep up with her treatment and exercise her legs. Over the past week, we saw great improvement – Donut was able to walk, albeit hobbling a little, on her own! All is not lost for dear Donut!

Acupuncture for Donut as the accident damaged her sacrum and caused her anus to remain open all the time

What a cute Donut smiling during her acupuncture

The acupuncture sessions were also to help Donut’s anus close. During her hit & run accident, her nerves were damaged, thus she is unable to close her anus and poo flows out almost continuously. Acupuncture sessions have helped some.

In the early stages, Donut needs 2 acupuncture sessions per week

Last week, we brought Donut for her review again, this time with a different doctor. The doctor explained that Donut’s injury is known as ventro fracture of sacrum , meaning that the sacrum nerves that control her bladder are severed. She will always need someone to express her bladder and to make sure there is no blood or very strong fishy smell in her pee as that usually means she's down with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

While the condition is the main reason why Donut cannot control her pee and poo, the vet did mention that there could be some sacrum nerves left which is why her anus is closing up after the acupuncture sessions. Her diarrhoea condition has also improved though there were times we found fresh blood at her anus area. Fortunately, this is only superficial and not due to a bigger problem like piles. The doctor recommended probiotics and flax seed oil for her and prescribed a cream for application.

This is SHIOK!!

One positive news from this review was that the ventro fracture of sacrum has nothing to do with her walking/hobbling. The problem with her movement lies with her dislocated right hip. A femoral hip resection surgery has been scheduled on 19 March to correct this condition so that her hips wont sway so much when she walks.

Missing her days on the streets and her stray friends 

Her previous surgery and aftercare has taken a toll on our budget and we need to raise funds again for her surgery next week. The surgery is estimated to cost about $3000 and she would have to be warded for a couple of days for recovery, which will add towards the total bill. If you would like to help in any way, financially or otherwise, please email us at hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg.

Written by: Shi Hua