Canine Love Squad

Sayang Squad is another animal-assisted activity at NTUC Health where the residents play with dogs. The hour-long session starts off with the dogs doing a performance, or showing off tricks. Residents interact with the dogs by making decisions during the tricks or they join in counting when treats are stacked on a dog’s nose.

The second half of the session encompasses residents having direct contact with the dogs. Residents get to pet, feed treats, play and carry smaller dogs. These sessions are conducted on a monthly basis at all six NTUC Health nursing homes, in Geylang East, Pasir Ris, Jurong West, Jurong Spring, Chai Chee and Tampines.

The dogs have passed the Good Canine Citizen Obedience Test. Betty Leow and Shanti Divaharan, founders of Sayang

Squad would then further evaluate the dogs on their suitability for typical Sayang Squad sessions or Pawsitive Exercise (PE) sessions. Jack Sim, Cluster Director,

NTUC Health Nursing Home (Chai Chee and Geylang East), agrees that the dogs bring a calming presence to the residents. He observes that the residents who were once reserved have begun to open up and engage in small conversations with fellow residents, staff and Sayang Squad’s volunteers, after interactions with the dogs. A PE session is subject to availability and conducted at selected homes (Jurong West, Geylang East and Chai Chee). During PE, up to five residents get to walk the dogs and play fetch with them.

The residents who take part in Sayang Squad sessions are identified by nurses based on interest and suitability. They are usually dog lovers. The dogs are not brought up to the wards and are contained in a multi-purpose hall.