FYI, You Can Join Saturday Morning ‘Pack Walks’ with the Dogs of UP Diliman

(SPOT.ph) Got plans on Saturday? If you’re a dog lover who doesn’t mind waking up early on a Saturday morning, this one is for you: Friends of Campus Animals UP (FOCA UP) is hosting “pack walks” every Saturday in UP Diliman.

This morning stroll requires you to set your alarm clock a bit earlier than usual on Saturdays, but it’s definitely well worth it. Instead of sleeping in or scrolling through your phone in bed, this gives you a chance to spend quality time with the university’s beloved campus pups. For animal lovers, it’s the purest form of serotonin.

Here’s everything we know about the FOCA UP pack walks.

Taking place every Saturday from 7 a.m to 9 a.m., pack walks kick off at Kamia Residence Hall before the group goes on a fun stroll through the tree-lined UP Diliman. If you’ve never had or walked a dog before, this is a great place to learn everything from getting comfortable around them to handling them outdoors. All the pups are vaccinated, and the organizers hold a short briefing before the pack sets off, so you know exactly what to do and what to expect.

For the dogs, these group strolls are very beneficial for their overall health, socialization, and physical well-being. And besides, outdoor walks are just as good for humans, too. It’s the best excuse to get your weekly dose of fresh air, morning sunshine, and dog-induced gigil.

To secure your slot for the weekend walk, make sure to check the official FOCA UP Facebook page. The group posts a registration link for their weekly pack walks on the page, so you just have to sign up and show up.

Pro tip: Register as soon as the link is up. Based on previous runs, slots run out fast. Depending on the influx of volunteers (and the availability of dogs for walks), the group may close the sign-up link as early as Thursday. Only 18 volunteers per Saturday will be accommodated and confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, so again, make sure to sign up early.

If you registered for a slot, make sure to check your email for a confirmation before you go on Saturday. Walk-ins will not be entertained.

Behind this feel-good activity is FOCA UP, the pioneering animal welfare group in UP Diliman. For years, the group’s volunteers have rescued, cared for, and trained campus animals to foster a safer, more compassionate environment for animals in UP Diliman. 

FOCA UP began as an initiative to give students access to Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Through the program, dogs and cats offer stressed-out students a little comfort, play, and unconditional affection—the kind only furry, four-legged friends can provide. Now, the initiative has been officially institutionalized under the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) and the Office of Student Housing (OSH). With this new chapter comes a new official identity for the campus rescues: UP Diliman Wellness Animals, or UP DiWA.

But DiWA dogs aren't the only canines you'll meet during the pack walks. There are two distinct groups of very, very good boys and girls walking together every Saturday morning:

• DiWA: These are the nine rescued campus-managed community companions who were previously under the care of FOCA UP. Housed in campus residence halls, they are now official university partners who “report for duty” at university spaces to help students maintain general well-being. Cats are part of the boopable DiWA squad, too!

• ESAs: Even though the permanent campus rescues transitioned to DiWA, the university still welcomes Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). These are the personal pets of FOCA UP volunteers who “commute” to campus to join activities and walk side by side with the DiWA team.

For more information, visit the official Facebook pages of FOCA UP and UP Diliman Wellness Animals.

Also read:
Inside the Sanctuary Giving Thousands of Rescue Animals a Second Chance
U.P. Gets a New Landmark: The Story Behind Diliman's Atencio-Libunao Hall