How Communitails is Pioneering Animal-Assisted Trauma Therapy in the Philippines

The Philippine Human-Animal Bond Institute (PHABI), the progressive non-profit organization behind Communitails, has officially been awarded a prestigious global grant from the Royal Canin Foundation. This international funding will directly advance Brave Tails, a pioneering animal-assisted services program dedicated to supporting trauma survivors and frontline care providers in the Philippines.

Significantly, this milestone marks the first time a Philippine and Southeast Asian initiative has been selected for financial support by the global Foundation.

Redefining Mental Health in the Philippines via the Human-Animal Bond

In the Philippines, survivors of abuse and systemic exploitation face long-term psychosocial challenges. These burdens are frequently compounded by a lack of accessible mental health support. Furthermore, healthcare frontline workers and social care providers face a severe risk of burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

The Brave Tails program, implemented through Communitails, directly answers this urgent national need. By introducing structured, trauma-informed animal-assisted services, the initiative harnesses the natural therapeutic power of the human-animal bond to foster recovery, psychological resilience, and emotional safety.

"Designed around the principle of mutual healing, Brave Tails uplifts the well-being of all participants, such as survivors, care providers, therapy animals, and their human stewards. By cultivating a practice of caring for animals, self, and others, the initiative creates emotionally safe, brave, and restorative spaces that promote trust, belonging, and meaning.” — Rohani Navarro, PHABI President

A Global Foundation Backing Local, Impact-Driven Solutions

The Royal Canin Foundation funds exceptional global initiatives that elevate the positive role of cats and dogs in human health, welfare, and emergency search-and-rescue. Every year, new grant projects are selected through a rigorous review process evaluating societal impact, operational feasibility, long-term sustainability, and strict pet welfare standards.

In 2026, the Foundation’s global portfolio includes therapeutic interventions for elderly care in Spain, therapeutic cat programs for hospitalized children in Italy, and crisis support in war-affected communities in Ukraine. The integration of Brave Tails places the Philippines at the forefront of this global movement, validating local methodologies on an international level.

“At the Royal Canin Foundation, we support initiatives that highlight the role of pets in human health and welfare. Brave Tails is a strong example of how the human-animal bond can meaningfully support wellbeing in sensitive contexts.” — Carlos Andres-Luna, Royal Canin Foundation President

Scaling Sustainable Impact and Responsible Pet Ownership

The funding allows PHABI to scale the Brave Tails framework nationwide. It will broaden project outreach to marginalized sectors, reinforce trauma-informed animal therapy standards, and compile evidence-based research to demonstrate the medical and psychological benefits of the human-animal bond.

This historic grant builds upon a deep-rooted domestic partnership between Royal Canin Philippines and Communitails. The two groups have historically collaborated on localized advocacy campaigns, including empathetic storybook reading programs and community education drives centered on responsible pet ownership.

Gerard Poa, Royal Canin Philippines Market Head, shared his pride regarding the development:

“Our partnership with Communitails reflects a shared commitment to both human and animal wellbeing. We are proud to see a Philippines-led initiative gain global recognition and support through this grant.”

Through the scaled implementation of Brave Tails, PHABI and the Royal Canin Foundation continue to advance global insights into animal-assisted care, paving the way for healthier, more resilient communities.