It didn't take long for Jarene and Telly to become friends.
When they meet, they play hide and seek, do magic tricks together, roll around on the floor, and play catch.
Telly is a professional therapy dog. Although her time with Jarene looks like fun and games, she's actually helping her to develop social emotional skills in an environment that's free from judgement, expectations and emotional pressures.
Jarene's mum Sally describes her time with Telly as a space where she can totally be herself.
That's important for Jarene, who was born with rare conditions that affect her face, mouth and throat muscles. She speaks and learns differently, and as Sally puts it: "To see a dog that is so tolerant, it's very refreshing. Human friends are not that tolerant."
Telly's human, Maureen, is trained in Animal Assisted Therapy. Together, they form Pawsibility, working with children and youth from all kinds of backgrounds, including those who have special needs, or are struggling with addictions, anger management issues, depression, stress and trauma from such triggers as divorce or bullying.
Human and dog help them to navigate challenges, make sense of experiences and learn social-emotional skills.
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Find out more about Pawsibility: www.pawsibilityaat.com/
You and your dog can volunteer to join Telly and his friends to provide companionship, motivation and recreation at homes for children and seniors, and hospices, at sosd.org.sg/community-outreach...
Read the full story: www.ourbetterworld.org/story/h...
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Producer & Writer: Ashima Thomas
Director of Photography: Anshul Tiwari
Photographer & Additional Videographer: Grace Baey
Executive Producer: Denise Oliveiro
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