Animals have so much to offer their human companions.

RECENTLY, I was invited by HELP University in Kuala Lumpur to join close to a hundred students to highlight the issue of animal cruelty. The anti-animal cruelty campaign, called AniHELP 2013, was put together by HELP’s Matriculation Centre Public Relations Students. Themed “It’s Awesome to be Pawsome”, the campaign aimed to promote understanding, appreciation and rehabilitation of animals amongst HELP students and the general public.

I wasn’t the only person with a disability who was invited to the event. A woman with hemiplegia – a condition characterised by weakness on one side of the body – was also there. Anna (not her real name) shared the positive effects of animal-assisted therapy on her life.

The organisers went the extra mile and picked her up from her house in Kajang, Selangor. They also provided transport home for her.

Later, some of the students shared with me their thoughts on the event.

“It was the first time I had the opportunity to interact with a special needs person,” said Andrew Phillip Varughese. “I was amazed at how well-informed Anna was, and her zest for life. I realised that just because one has a disability, it doesn’t mean that one can’t lead a fulfilling life.”

Andrew was most impressed with how animal-assisted therapy had impacted Anna’s life. Although Anna does not have any pets, she took every opportunity to come into contact with dogs and spend time with them.

Phoon Di Wern, student president of AniHELP, was most impressed by the video I showed of my service dogs in action, helping me physically as well as emotionally.

“I had no idea how therapeutic pets can be, and how they can help one develop a positive outlook of life. This is all the more reason why we need to speak out against cruelty to animals. Animals play diverse roles as service animals, wonderful pets and companions to the elderly and lonely,” said Di Wern.

Pet subject: ‘Therapy animals are non-judgmental and provide space for individuals to work out their problems,’ says senior lecturer R. Murali Rajaratenam, who is seen here with his students.

R. Murali Rajaratenam, senior lecturer and adviser of AniHELP 2013, sums up the general sentiment when he said: “It is clear that animals – in this case, dogs – are truly a God-given package of fur and joy. They bring healing and offer security and unconditional love.

“I lecture on human communication and one area I focus on is touch communication. The power of touch can also come from therapy animals and benefit its recipients. Sometimes, through simple gestures like petting an animal, we learn something which we can’t learn on our own.”

Murali added that therapy animals are non-judgmental and provide space for individuals to work out their problems.

“They accept you just as you are, flaws and all. They are forgiving and always happy to see you. It’s comforting for people to know that there is someone out there for you who will not judge you for anything you’ve done. Although animal-assisted therapy has come a long way, we are just beginning to exploit the full potential of our furry, four-legged friends,” concluded Murali.

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