Therapy Dog Rakki sits down to wrap up an Animal-Assisted Activity Session with Project PAATTS participants 

Project PAATTS wins Photo Essay Contest

Projects May 28, 2026

Project PAATTS wins first place and the People's Choice Award ✨ in the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD)'s 2026 Capture the HeaRT in Health Research Photo Essay Contest. This year's theme, Heart for the Filipino, features innovations and the impact of scientific exploration, while rooted in care and compassion. 💕

The photo essay entitled  Gentle Paws: Healing Through the Eyes of a Therapy Dog was submitted by Abbygail Cuya and features our dedicated humans and, of course, the therapy dog superstars of Communitails ⭐️ 🐶🐾

Below is an excerpt from the photo essay:

"Through the therapy dog’s steady gaze, the world appears renewed. What was once guarded now breathes with gentleness. Here, compassion becomes a form of evidence, and empathy becomes a method of inquiry. In this union of heart and mind, science finds its truest reflection: not in numbers alone, but in the trust that lingers long after the sessions end. This is the heart for the Filipino: research guided by kindness, healing grounded in understanding, and hope that looks back through the eyes of a furry companion."

Therapy Dog Phoebe gently reaches out her paw as she is introduced to the session’s participants
Human-Animal Team (HAT) Dhani and Therapy Dog Tofu provide support to participants as they prepare to answer implementation tools
Therapy Dog Rakki provides a supportive presence for shelter staff as they take part in a shared wellness session with project stakeholders.
These letters were written for the Therapy Dogs Lexie, Phoebe, and Alef. They are more than simple expressions of gratitude. To the world, they may be known as therapy dogs, but to the participants, they are a bridge back to comfort and safety.

Thank you, DOST-PCHRD! ❤️

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