Happiness Dogs in UAE
The collaboration between Reading Dogs and Royal Canin UAE began in August 2021, leading to the launch of The Happiness Dogs—the first Animal Assisted Activity initiative of its kind in the UAE.
Animal Assisted Activities are structured sessions delivered alongside educational or therapeutic programs to provide comfort, reassurance, and emotional support. While still emerging in the Gulf region, the impact has been overwhelmingly positive.
Pilot Programs
Since its launch, The Happiness Dogs have completed pilot programs across five centers, including Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, as well as various educational and respite care facilities. The program supports classroom-based learning, speech and physical therapy, and counselling sessions.
Today, sessions are held each term at The Developing Child Centre and Jad’s Inclusion, and monthly at Sunshine Learning Difficulties Center, reaching children and young adults across diverse needs.
Creating Positive Social Impact Through Animal-Assisted Programs
Royal Canin UAE supports the initiative through financial contribution, marketing materials, veterinary volunteer involvement during sessions, and awareness campaigns across social media and local radio.
The Happiness Dogs team is made up of volunteer dog owners and their dogs, who undergo a continuous training and assessment program to ensure suitability. This includes veterinary, behavioral, and socialization evaluations, as well as owner coaching led by Animal Assisted Therapist Zahra Poonawala, equipping teams to support children and young adults effectively and safely.
Since 2021, the program has created meaningful shared experiences—reading stories, singing songs, exploring arts and crafts, and even learning basic sign language to support communication.
Inspiring Connection, Expanding Impact
Children and young adults are also guided on how to approach and interact with dogs, understand their daily needs, and recognize canine emotions—learning that a wagging tail often says it all.
It has been a privilege to be part of these moments and to witness the connection formed between the children and therapy dogs such as Mickey, Tiger Lily, and Millie. The Happiness Dogs initiative continues to grow, and we look forward to expanding its impact in the years ahead.