LRC holds regular animal-assisted educ activities for students

UPLB students enjoy the benefit of mental health care with the help of its fur staff or therapy dogs. 

This is made possible through a series of activities implemented this semester by the UPLB Learning Resource Center (LRC) under its new flagship program–the Animal-Assisted Education (AAE) program.  

To date, LRC has five resident fur staff or therapy dogs-in-training: two Pembroke Welsh Corgis–Sylvie and Bobbi; two Golden Retrievers–Simba and Scout; and a Chihuahua named Patches. 

This semester, UPLB students regularly visited the fur staff at the LRC office. During these visits, they took photos, pet the animals, and conversed with their handlers. 

Last May 2024, the “LRC Corgi Challenge” was held as the first appreciation activity for the Center’s first two fur staff – Sylvie and Bobbi. 

To participate, students needed to submit an entry by uploading a photo and a story about their best memory with the fur staff. 

Fifteen (15) students won the contest and received various prizes from LRC.

To further expand the appreciation for the fur staff, LRC launched the “LRC Fur Staff Loyalty Card” last September.  

Students who visit the dogs get their cards stamped based on their respective schedules. Completing ten visits accords them free photocards of the fur staff, dog stickers, and a special prize such as keychains, mugs, 3D models, and pins. Five students have completed the loyalty cards. 

LRC also regularly conducts its AAE Seminar Series to promote awareness and provide knowledge on various topics related to AAI. 

The Center was able to conduct one session last July 2024 on responsible pet ownership and dog competitions in the Philippines and another session in September 2024 on rabies awareness and essential vaccines for pets. 

The third session, scheduled for next year, will discuss dog sports in the country and basic obedience training for dogs.  

In November 2024, the UPLB College of Development Communication Student Council (CDC SC) conducted the seminar, “PAWS for a purpose: A path to warmth and comfort” as part of its month-long celebration of Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW). 

The CDC SC invited Joshua Michael G. Jonas, LRC researcher and fur staff supervisor,  to discuss AAI and the benefits of the human-animal bond to mental health. 

LRC fur staff member Sylvie also made a special appearance at the seminar, which had over 200 Devcom students attending.

On December 9, LRC held a Christmas PAW-tho Shoot with the Glacial Fire Samoyeds–Zuko, Mai, and Katara–who had won championships in various dog competitions in the Philippines. 

The activity aimed to provide UPLB students with an opportunity to interact with the Samoyeds and take Christmas memorabilia photos with them. After that, they were given free Samoyed stickers, photocards, and candies.

LRC also regularly posted infographics on pet care and the benefits of the human-animal bond, and photos of the regular fur staff visitors.

LRC’s AAE is a subcomponent of the UPLB BARKada at CATropa—Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Program, which is housed under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. 

AAE focuses more on the educational aspect of AAI, particularly on how these activities help promote a conducive space for learning and stimulate academic performance and interest from students in any given educational activity.
AAE is also implemented by integrating some of its activities into LRC’s existing programs.