Human-Animal Bond In Ministry - HIM

Introducing Dobutsu! is a home based business by Ai Lee, a semi-retired individual who has a passion for animal welfare 🐾🐾 She also bakes beautiful treats and cakes for both human & pets! 🦴We are happy to welcome her onboard as our 2nd booth holder, and she will be preparing free delicious baked treat samples for your pets to try during the event! 😋😋

Sign up for the Petwalk 2024 to catch Ai Lee at her booth on 28 September 2024!
Here’s the link “Join The Team” https://p2p.onecause.com/wlpw/team/hims-community-team-2 to register for the event 28 Sep (Sat) 8am - 11am. Goodie bags will be given for the first 100 participants & first 50 furry animals. Unredeemed goodie bags will be released from 8:30am on that day.

Introducing Dobutsu! is a home based business by Ai Lee, a semi-retired individual who has a passion for animal welfare. She also bakes beautiful treats and cakes for both human & pets! We are happy to welcome her onboard as our 2nd booth holder, and she will be preparing free delicious baked treat samples for your pets to try during the event!

Sign up for the Petwalk 2024 to catch Ai Lee at her booth on 28 September 2024!
Here’s the link “Join The Team” https://p2p.onecause.com/wlpw/team/hims-community-team-2 to register for the event 28 Sep (Sat) 8am - 11am. Goodie bags will be given for the first 100 participants & first 50 furry animals. Unredeemed goodie bags will be released from 8:30am on that day.

On 24 June 2024, we visited the Anglican Care Centre at Yishun to conduct an animal-assisted activity with the center’s terrapins. 🐢 During the session, the centre’s clients learned about terrapin care and diet, and created fun mazes for the terrapins to explore! 🤓🥇
They also discovered the terrapins’ unique characteristics and diet preferences by trying out new and different foods. 😋😋

The peer leaders did a great job facilitating the session, aiding group members with the activities, and helping HIM and our team of volunteers feel welcomed and at ease! 😄

We are truly appreciative of our volunteers who came to help out and engage the beneficiaries. 💙

It was a wholesome experience for us to learn more about terrapins and conduct a session with their in-house animals

Once again, thank you Anglican Care Centre (Yishun) for having us! Anglican Care Centre (Yishun) is a service of , providing day rehabilitation and community intervention for persons with mental health conditions. 🐾

Introducing EQUAL! Equal-Ark Singapore Ltd We are thrilled to have EQUAL as the first partner to join us as a booth holder at our Pet Walk event 2024, helping us find out more about how equine-assisted learning can aid us in our lives!
Swipe to find out why visiting EQUAL’s booth is a must 🐎 >>> 🤓

Sign up for the Petwalk today to catch EQUAL at their booth on 28 September 2024! 💯
Here’s the link “Join The Team” https://p2p.onecause.com/wlpw/team/hims-community-team-2 to register for the event 28 Sep (Sat) 8am - 11am. Goodie bags will be given for the first 100 participants & first 50 furry animals. Unredeemed goodie bags will be released from 8:30am on that day. 🌼🐾

🐾 Are you ready for “The World’s Largest Pet Walk (official Pet Partners walking event)”? 🐾

🌿 Meet Our Committee, mainly spearheading by students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Humanities & Social Sciences! 🌿 Np-Hms

✨ Ganesh (Chairperson of Woodlands Botanical Garden):Woodlands Botanical Garden
“Woodlands Botanical Garden aims to marry the benefits of biophilic interaction between plants and animals to achieve mental wellness and a deep respect for Nature.” 🌱🌸🌼

🤝 Publicity & Partnership Team:
“We chose to be part of this committee because we wanted to experience networking with organizations and explore using social media to share about the work they do. One thing we are looking forward to is the memories we’ll make along the way and on the event day itself!” 📸✨

🎉 Programmes & Operations Team:
“We chose to join the programme team as we all love planning and conducting events! We hope to improve our event planning skills and create a meaningful event for everyone coming for the pet walk 😄🐕. We’re looking forward to the community interacting and engaging with one another during the pet walk and hope they’ll learn more about HIM and animal-assisted intervention as well as have fun during the walk!” 🎊🌟

🚚 Logistics Team:
“We’re super passionate about animals and thrilled to be part of the planning committee. We joined the committee as we want to support local initiatives that promote animal and human welfare, all while forging new friendships along the way! We can’t wait to see people and animals from all walks of life coming together to have some fun. 🐾💕”

Partners

Thank you Mr Hadi who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at St. Andrew's Community Hospital for sharing your experience with our guinea pigs! “I was encouraged by how Barri, the guinea pig who suffers from a neurological condition, continues to lead a happy life, enjoying the treats we made for him. Barri reminded me that despite my medical condition, I can lead a happy and normal life. This thought motivated me to be enthusiastic about my therapy exercises so that I can recover faster. Animal Assisted Activity is a good form of activity for patients like us!”

Thankful for the collaboration with Woodlands Botanical Garden all these years! We had another heartwarming session with friends from Institute of Mental Health Singapore, giving our guinea pigs so much love & fun exploring through the treasure hunt they creatively built! “Yummy with the healthy food u gave, after learning how to take care of us!”

It is evident to see how the beautiful nature has heightened the lively mood during the garden tour too!

We are thankful to be given this opportunity to carry out Recovery Ahead! programme for The Turning Point! We look forward to every session with the ladies’ rich sharing and experiences and witnessing the human-animal bond in the safe space created.

“Recovery Ahead!” participants support each other in learning new, healthier ways of relating to others. Process Group facilitates skills to build healthier family and social relationships, decreasing sources of stress and increasing their network of support. The Psychotherapy Clinic SG
Animal-assisted interventions are also helpful as the interaction with animals produces hormones that reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood, and animals’ unconditional, non-judgmental acceptance of everyone fosters an optimal environment for participants to be vulnerable during Process Group sessions.

Email [email protected] to find out more.

Recently, we started an 8-week programme with HIM. They have brought dogs, cats, guinea pigs and we can't wait for more animals that will come along in the future!

Very encouraged to know Minister of State, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim recognizing the powerful human-animal bond that facilitates hope & healing with the precious furry partners! Individuals who are recovering from substance use also experience significant anxiety and stress, and animal-assisted activities have been shown to reduce anxiety and stress (Scott & Kirnan, 2023).

Join us on 28 September 2024, as we will be having Pet Partners World's Largest Pet Walk in Singapore's Largest Community Garden at Woodlands Botanical Garden. Your participation will join us as "HIM's community team" which brings unconditional love, happiness, and healing to many through animal-assisted intervention works. Cruise with us as you learn and understand the different works from other organisations & partners involved in animal-assisted intervention works. Be inspired with activities where desistors will share through Jenga game, etc and the different roles that they will be taking up, as they volunteer together in beautiful teamwork!

Those who sign up will be entitled to a goodie bag for your furry friend, while stocks last! 🎁 Here's the link "Join The Team" https://lnkd.in/dzJjWmJ4

More details and sign up forms will be posted closer to date, looking forward to seeing all of you!👀🩵

🎉🐹 Celebrating our adorable guinea pigs’ birthday with the amazing seniors from the Anglican Senior Centre (Havelock)! 🥳✨

We had a blast making DIY outfits for our furry friends while bonding with the lovely elderly participants. Their creativity was admirable and a joy to witness! 👚👕

Check out the cutest guinea pigs in their custom outfits, thanks to the talented seniors who made this day unforgettable. 💖🎂👵👴

“Thank you HIM and Adeline & team for volunteering with Anglican Senior Centre (Havelock). You never fail to bring much joy and love to our seniors whenever you come with your furry friends! Our folks would never have imagine making clothes & accessories for our beloved guinea piggies, such fun creativity! Big thanks again for making memorable moments here with us! God bless you richly! 🙏🏼💖🥰” - Christine Loo (Centre Supervisor)

We are deeply grateful for the incredible compassion of our volunteers! 🐾🥰 Their efforts in engaging with children from Prison Fellowship Singapore Prison Fellowship Singapore through heartwarming interactions with HIM’s volunteer dogs have created unforgettable moments and lasting smiles. 😁✨

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who actively participated and engaged with the children participants! 🤩

Special thanks to .co for giving Ngee Ann Polytechnic students the opportunity to involve youths in such meaningful volunteer work! 🙏🏻🐶

Thank you to Fei Yue Youth Department Animal-Care team for the wonderful session on Saturday, May 11, 2024. During this session, we learned to relax and regulate ourselves using deep breathing techniques, enhanced by the comforting presence of our furry friends resting on our tummies, rising and falling with our breaths. ☺️ Our participants experienced interacting with guinea pigs for the first time and were comforted by their calm and cute demeanor. 🐾🩷🩵

“I felt anxious at the start but felt calmer after the interaction,” shared one participant. Thank you to all the participants and staff for loving the guinea pigs!

To celebrate HIM’s 3rd year anniversary & to commemorate World Autism Day, we co-sponsored Tshirts and straps for Saint Andrew’s Mission School (SAMS). St Andrew's Mission School SAMS is dedicated to maximizing their students’ potential and developing their character to become active members of society, committed to serving and leading. Much respect for enabling children and youth on the autism spectrum to access the national curriculum at primary and secondary levels. The straps were handmade with love by HIM’s social mission group, and the Emmaus Ark design was created by a talented individual with autism.
Through this gesture, we aim to express our heartfelt support for the SAMS staff, who tirelessly provide invaluable support and education to children on the autism spectrum.
We hope to raise awareness about autism and celebrate the dedicate and compassion of educators and caregivers.

We sincerely thank our co-sponsors who were able to make these possible
Tan Chin Meng
Adrian Ma
Lee Liang Huang
Thank you for your generous contributions.

Mark ❗28 September 2024 ❗on your calendars 🗓️ as we will be having Pet Partners World’s Largest Pet Walk in Singapore’s Largest Community Garden @ Woodlands Botanical Garden!🌻 This event is free for all, and there will be various activities for all ages and goodies to take home, so you can come participate with your family or friends! 🐾🐾

All animals are welcomed, be it dogs, cats, birds or small animals! 🐶🐱🐣🐰Experience the joy of walking with our pet, and take in the beautiful scenery of the garden that is well manicured and taken care of regularly 🌳🦋
We are so excited to be hosting this event again this year with great delight! 🌼
Currently, we are looking for more partners to collaborate with so that we can make this event bigger and better! ☺️
Your participation will join us as “HIM’s community team” which brings unconditional love, happiness, and healing to many through animal-assisted intervention works.

Those who sign up will be entitled to a goodie bag for your furry friend, while stocks last! 🎁

More details and sign up forms will be posted closer to date, looking forward to seeing all of you!👀🩵

After eight transformative sessions, our *Recovery Ahead!* programme for Teen Challenge Singapore concludes its journey on April 18th, 2024. ☺️
To end off this special journey, we celebrated with a meaningful time of fellowship, sharing and bowling at Seletar Country Club. 🎳🎉
These sessions were instrumental in fostering personal development, recovery, and reintegration goals for the participants.
“We were able to open up with the pets, making us less defensive” The Psychotherapy Clinic SG “Process group helps me to share and get constructive feedback.” - Participants.
We are elated to know that the sessions were able to bring enjoyment and growth to the participants. As we reflect on the journey, we carry forward invaluable lessons & bonds, and hope the best for the residents. 🐾🐰🙏

Blissful birthday for Summer and Ocean as they turn 1! 🎉
Thank you to Ai Lee for designing and making their gorgeous and yummy pawfect 3-layered cake! 💝
Ingredients :
- Hay
- ⁠Carrots 🥕
- ⁠Bananas 🍌
- ⁠Dried Strawberries 🍓
- ⁠Rabbit Pellets 🐇
Get your pet friendly and delicious cakes today by contacting 91858765! 🎂

Transform your pet’s look effortlessly with this reversible bandana! Each bandana comes with two colours, unleash your creativity by fashioning it into a multitude of trendy outfits for your pet. Whether your furry friend is rocking a modest skirt, a funky headpiece, or the timeless classic bandana, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the versatility of this eco-friendly accessory and let your pet stand out in style!
This bandana is a collaboration, made by Restore.SG. At Restore.SG, sustainability meets compassion. Each bandana is created using at least 80% of upcycled materials, reducing textile wastes. Every piece is crafted by their talented seamstresses who are from marginalized communities such as vulnerable women. Find out more on their website at https://re-store.sg/.

Comes in Small, Medium, Large sizes.

Small (will include a pin) in White & Red $8:
Width 24.5cm
Hypotenuse 37.5cm
Suitable for Guinea pigs, Chinchilla, Rabbits, Gerbils, Mice, Dogs & Cats under 5kg

Medium (will include a pin) in White & Black $10:
Width 31.5cm
Hypotenuse 45cm
Suitable for cats and small dogs 5 - 10kg

Large (include pin for animal heavier than 10 kg) in Red & Black $12:
Width 41 cm
Hypotenuse 60cm
Suitable for cats and dogs 5 - 20kg

Order one today on our order form at https://tinyurl.com/HIMProductsOrder

These straps are meticulously custom-made by HIM’s talented and dedicated social mission group members. Each piece is unique and intricately crafted, ensuring no two are alike, with slight variations in size & design that add to their charm. Customizations are available down to the type of bead shape you would prefer. This is ideal for those who are seeking a heartfelt and personalised gift, these straps not only add a touch of warmth but also contribute to a noble cause in supporting HIM’s operations.
Embrace the versatility of these aesthetic straps, as they can be used as a stylish phone accessory, a practical keychain or, a charming addition to your pet’s leash.
Elevate your everyday essentials with our multi-functional and socially impactful straps today.

Order one today on our order form at https://tinyurl.com/HIMProductsOrder

With HIM in the vessel we can smile at the storm
This picture was drawn by someone with autism. “The world of humans is confusing and disappointing,” she says. “Animals are the best. They don’t say anything, but they stay quietly by your side, offering faithful support, unconditional acceptance, non-judgmental love. Where humans fail us, the love of animals and Jesus carries us through.” This picture includes all 15 resident animals of HIM as of Feb 2024. It combines the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark with the popular children’s song, “With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm.”
Size available from 2XS to 3XL, in White, Black or Sea Blue, 100% cotton

Order one today on our order form at https://tinyurl.com/HIMProductsOrder

Thank you everyone for being with us on our 3rd year anniversary!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 15 resident & 20 volunteer furry partners, 70 volunteers, 21 Social Service Agencies & Non-Profit Organisations for being a constant pillar of support for us. It is through your unwavering support, passion, and giving that we have been able to realise our mission and provide positive change in the lives of those we serve. As we continue on in this journey, we hope to continue to see our community grow and remain steadfast in our commitment to making a difference.

Furthermore, to celebrate Human-animal bond In Ministry (HIM)’s 3rd Year Anniversary, we are launching 3 new products!

Reversible Pet Bandana ($8/10/12)

Emmaus Ark T-shirt ($20)

Customizable strap ($10)

To find out more, head to the individual postings for each of these products.
You can order at https://tinyurl.com/HIMProductsOrder

16 March 2024 marked an eventful day filled with meaningful exchanges between individuals, animals, and greenery 🌱

Thirty Ngee Ann Polytechnic students enrolled in the Minor in Social Leadership came down to Singapore’s largest community garden, Woodlands Botanical Garden to learn about desistors and their untold experiences.

While immersed in the captivating scenery of the garden 🪻, the students were able to engage with various animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs, not forgetting the beautiful critters from the lovely garden. 🦋
Thanks to our amazing desistors, Francis, Babu, and Vijay, who shared their unique and inspiring stories, the students were able to depart with enriched insights from a different perspective.

Special thanks to all the pet owners, volunteers who woke up early to lend a hand and our residents from Teen Challenge Singapore who were hard at work with gardening, under the sweltering sun 🐾🩵💙

Thank you to Fei Yue Animal-Care Programme for the two wonderful sessions of Animal-Assisted-Activities (AAA)!
Session 1 (February): Guinea pig cake-making session 🍰
Not only was this session enjoyable for us, our furry friends, Echo and Frenz, also got to enjoy handmade cake treats consisting of vegetable and pellets (YUM!)

Session 2 (March): Rabbit enrichment toy-making session 🐰
In this session, we were introduced to the importance of hay in a rabbit’s diet and was able to create enrichment toys for our two lovely rabbits, Winter and Snow with toilets rolls and hay!

Thank you to the participants and Fei Yue Animal-Care Programme for your participation, support and love towards the animals! 🐾

Here is what went down with Yellow Ribbon Singapore (Aftercare division) Yellow Ribbon Singapore on 13 March 2024:
We were accompanied by our two furry and adorable guinea pig friends, Echo and Frenz 🐾 and had an amazing time with all the staff of the Aftercare division! During this learning journey with an insightful process group The Psychotherapy Clinic SG and animal assisted activity, there were new insights on the importance of body language in communication while we played charades with the guinea pigs 🤗
Thank you to all the staff from Aftercare division who participated, and to more continued collaboration in the future 🫶
“This is a very valuable experience as I got to know my team members better” - A participant

Salt & Light video that features HIM! Thankful also for all the other precious HIM’s community animals who serve alongside us too!

To support, please visit our product page too at https://tinyurl.com/HIMProductsOrder

Link to video : https://youtu.be/bzDxqabizos?si=eSewNgMvJZW_XD40

Her mini zoo brings hope and healing Adeline Wong has 15 animals in her care. All of them are loved, none of them are pets. They are working animals who help her in animal-assisted therapy and a...

Green Over Screen Event - 20th Jan 2024 🌿✨

A day filled with joy, purpose, and furry friends! 🐾 Here's a glimpse of what went down:

1. *HIM's Amazing Race & Pet Playdate:* Families teamed up with their adorable dogs for a fantastic adventure, completing tasks and creating unforgettable memories. Pure fun and wagging tails! 🐶🐾

2. *Ngee Ann Poly Students:*
- *Jenga x Desistors:* Meaningful conversations unfolded as families explored the challenges, life lessons, and personal growth stories of our incredible desistors. ❤️
- *Letter2u:* A touching moment post-Jenga, where participants shared anonymous words of encouragement. Heartfelt letters that left our desistors deeply moved. 💌

A huge shoutout to NGNR (Nurture Growth Nurture Relationships) and other partners for an amazing collaboration, our dedicated volunteers for making it all happen, our inspiring desistors for their participation, and the amazing Ngee Ann Polytechnic students for their support towards the desistors community. 🙌

Thanks for spreading smiles and making this event a success! 🥰😊

For desistors, family support is important to help them stay away from crime as family provides the basic needs (Mowen et al., 2019) and a sense of familiarity after incarceration. Families may assist in the difficult process of desisting from crime by providing a source of practical and emotional support; by occupying the person’s time and keeping them on ‘the straight and narrow’; by reinforcing new, positive identities (for example as a good parent rather than as an offender); and by recognising positive changes and reducing the stigma felt by desistors (Jardine, 2014).

Bravo & his family recognizes the strength & importance of family bonding and volunteered together as a family with their dogs today in the event Nurture Growth Nurture Relationships! These are some sharing from the family during their interview with the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s students.

Bravo, “my biological family has forgiven me ever since I was released. They taught me to look back to my wrongdoings in the past & not anyhow flare up when something arises or makes me unhappy.”
Bravo’s family, “this is our first volunteering experience with entire family, previously we volunteered individually with different organisations. This experience is interesting and we can bond with each other during weekends.”

We hope this family will continue to inspire many more desistors & families to strengthen & bond together through meaningful opportunities! Stay tuned to more posts for this event from our 2 booths

Spreading joy and laughter with our furry friends! 🐹💖

Had an amazing AAA session at The T Project on 13/01/24. 🥰Our guinea pigs stole the show as residents tried their hand at making adorable guinea pig cake treats and enjoyed some grooming time.🫧 Grateful for the heartwarming and joy-filled moments and a big thanks to The T Project for having us! 🌟❤️

Reflecting on the memorable “A New Leaf’ workshop, held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic on January 11, 2024. 🌿

We are beyond grateful to work with the A New Leaf team, a group of talented students who dedicated their time and creativity to handcrafting beautiful flowers from pipe cleaners. Their efforts went beyond the workshop – they became advocates for change, supporting the desistor community with every flower they made. 💪

Witnessing the A New Leaf team’s commitment was truly touching. We extend our deepest thanks to these wonderful students for choosing to collaborate with us on this impactful project. Additionally, the success of the workshop wouldn’t have been possible without the overwhelming support from the students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic too who visited our booths, appreciating our work and purchasing the flowers. 🥰🌷

📸 Do view picture 3 and 4 to see the kind words that students of NP left for desistors! 🤩 We are truly grateful for a day filled with fun, love and community support. Here’s to the A New Leaf team and the fantastic students who made this event unforgettable! 🌸✨

🌟 Last Friday, Reed and Maya embarked on an extraordinary journey, conquering the American Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Training and Paw Partners' Therapy Dog certifications! 🐾 Their advanced obedience and remarkable socialization skills shone bright, proving they're not just dogs; they're canine ambassadors of good behavior and compassion. 🎓 A special shoutout to Fabia Kani Kraze for her invaluable guidance, and heartfelt thanks to EQUAL Equal-Ark Singapore Ltd for graciously providing the venue. 🙏🏼 Here's to Reed and Maya, CONGRATULATIONS! 🐕