PETALING JAYA: On a sunny afternoon in Sungai Lui, Hulu Langat, a pack of dogs are seen wagging their tails and Dr Dog Malaysia Programme coordinator Salehin Ibrahim smiles.
“They are not ordinary dogs as they’ve been working as ‘therapists’ for the elderly at old folks homes and orphanages,” he said when met at the programme’s therapy centre recently.
Salehin explained the programme operates on the premise of animal assisted therapy (AAT), a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment.
“The therapy is built on the interaction between humans and animals. By interacting with a friendly pet, some may overcome emotional or mental scars,” he said.
The programme can be traced to its founder in Hong Kong, Animals Asia Foundation chief executive officer Jill Robinson, in the 1990s.
Shocked by the dog meat trade, she developed the programme to end animal cruelty Asia-wide.
The programme reached Malaysian shores in 2007 through the late Sabrina Yeap, founder of the Furry Friends Farm animal sanctuary.
“I joined the programme in 2009 as I was helping with its fundraising events and I was also interested in the Dr Dog Programme,” Salehin said.
His passion to help others after suffering a stroke at 47 only strengthened his ambition to create the centre on a 3.5 acre site.
“After the stroke, I was looking for alternative treatment. The pills prescribed were like morning cereals!”
He said each AAT session lasts no longer than one and a half hours, so that the dog and the “patient” do not get tired.
“The dogs have to be assessed for their suitability for this programme,” he said, adding that the dogs must be at least two years old.
“They must be up to date on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, have suitable temperaments, are calm and friendly, have basic obedience skills and have lived with owners for more than six months. Their owners must also be committed to the programme and can make at least four visits a year with their pets,” the 55-year-old former banker said.
The programme does not promise total recovery from an individual’s condition, but is geared towards uplifting their spirits and morale.
After several visits to the centre, visitors are allowed to bathe and brush the dog, and walk it – which helps with the visitor-dog interaction.
“A dog isn’t just a pet. Their love can be shared too,” Salehin added.
