There’s really no shortage of good reasons to play with puppies. This is exactly why, if you just happen to find yourselves in the highlands of Ubud on a Tuesday or Thursday, you might want to check into this hostel in Bali where they offer guests a wholesome little time-out you can spend with the cute little buggers.
Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, in partnership with the Bali Dog Association, brings in rescue puppies for their guests to hug, play and cuddle with for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Which, of course, is not something most people can say no to.
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“We have been running the Puppy Therapy for just over six months … The idea of this activity is to try to re-socialize and to prepare [the puppies] to be adopted,” Daniel Silva, owner of Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, told Coconuts Bali.
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Puppy Therapy 🐶 Every Tuesdays & Thursdays Only here at @purigardenhotel
Established in 2018, Bali Dog Association is a non-profit whose work focuses on rescuing stray dogs on the island. Beatrice Ojeda Pedrosa, co-founder of Bali Dog Association, said that they have about 70 dogs in their sanctuary at the moment, which is located in Tabanan.
“Our sanctuary is on a beautiful rice field where the dogs have their freedom to run around. We [are trying] to change the suffering of Bali’s street dogs,” Pedrosa told Coconuts Bali.
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In Bali, street dogs are plentiful and cases of newborn puppies being dumped are not uncommon, as recently highlighted by the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA), which reported on four litter of dumped puppies in four days (They were also seeking assistance from those who are able to feed the puppies at the time of posting, as the organization is over capacity).
It’s encouraging to see how unique activities like Puppy Therapy can raise awareness about the issue with guests visiting the island, who might be able to lend a hand in one way or another, or at least help get the rescued puppies ready for the prospect of new homes.
Puri Garden also offer other wellness activities for their guests, including free daily yoga classes and free massages by the pool. Silva said Puppy Therapy is in line with those wellness offerings.
“It creates a great and peaceful vibe at my hotel and among my guests,” Silva said.
