NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, OCT 4
Sugar Rush Outdoors, innovative nature and animal-based recreation facility on Sunday celebrated World Animal Welfare Day by organizing an amazing tour of their Petting Farm which comprises happy stories of several rescued animals who have been adopted from rescue centres across India. They have been given the best care and now their lives have made a complete turnaround for the better! All the animals are nurtured in this place by some incredibly passionate nature and animal lovers.
According to the organizers, “Every Year 4th October is celebrated as World Animal Welfare day and it’s a day which is dedicated towards Welfare, Compassion, and Love for the animal kingdom. The mission of World Animal Day which is celebrated on the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals is to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe and mobilize it into a global force to make the world a better place for all animals. This day also highlights the positive relations which can exist between humans and animals. This day allows us to celebrate their existence.”
Soham Mukherjee took the media friends to this wonderful journey of Animal welfare by showcasing many amazing breeds of Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hens, Pigeons, Goats, Turkeys, Emus, Pigs, and many more and each animal had a heart-rending story to share. The farm is one of its kind in the city providing an opportunity to come and interact with all animals housed here in the most fun way. These animals are behaviorally conditioned to interact with people by choice as the interactions are integrated with their enrichment training and yummy treats!
This tour was followed by a compassionate demonstration by some amazing therapy dogs Dr. Maska, Dr. Malai, and Dr Kulfi who are specially trained therapy dogs of Qi to Happiness Programme. Qi to happiness conducts Animal Assisted Therapy and Comfort Dog Programme. These structured programmes help individuals deal with mental, emotional, behavioural, and physical issues to promote good health and well-being.
Salomi Gupte, an expert canine behaviorist and dog trainer shared, “Our Dogs have been trained to provide affection, comfort, and support. Mere interaction with a therapy dog can help release one’s ‘happy hormones’ such as endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin while simultaneously decreasing the stress hormone, cortisol. With the amount of stress and anxiety most of us are experiencing today, our therapy dogs can bring some joy and laughter in your lives.”
Soham and Salomi while addressing the media also shared their special experiences of Animal Welfare, and also on how to identify and address one’s pet’s needs. While it is very easy to become a pet parent, being a responsible pet parent requires an understanding of their needs, and the commitment to provide all that it takes to keep a pet happy and healthy.
