UP’s Emotional Support Dogs Get Boost from TopBreed, UP Fighting Maroons on UP Doggo Day

Nineteen dogs from the Emotional Support Animals (ESA) Program of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) received a Holiday treat from the UP Fighting Maroons Basketball Team and its newest sponsor TopBreed, the leading Philippine-made dog food brand in the country.

TopBreed provided the dogs with 900 kilograms of high-quality dog food and essentials like TopB+ vitamins and ShamPooch dog shampoo. The canines underwent general check-up and deworming, and were given anti-rabies vaccines administered by the TopBreed veterinarians. TopBreed provided pet supplies to ESA handlers from the different UPD colleges and units for dogs under their supervision. Efforts were coordinated with the Friends of Campus Animals (FOCA UP), the first campus-based animal welfare volunteer group that helps with the ESA program. UPD’s Balay Kaibigan houses the emotional support animals that also includes cats.

The project became a reality when TopBreed and the UPMBT reached out to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs in early December and volunteered to help out UP Diliman’s Emotional Support Animals (ESA) Program. The program,which was launched in 2019 by then UPD Chancellor Michael Tan, provides psychosocial support for students and university staff that may experience stress, depression or anxiety. The program manages, trains and utilizes campus animals to render emotional and therapeutic support to those who need them.

“The University recognizes the ability of animals to help people destress. Therapy dogs are already being tapped in universities abroad to help students deal with academic stress. But even the ESA’s were not spared from the hardships of the pandemic,” said UP Diliman Vice-Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Aleli Bawagan. “We appreciate the efforts of Top Breed to vaccinate and deworm UPD's emotional support dogs and donate dog food. We look forward to more collaborations with them in the future.”

Universal Robina Corporation’s Agro-Industrial Group (URC-AIG) managing director Vincent Henry Go meanwhile said “TopBreed is thrilled to take part in the UP Doggo Day. We are very happy to be given a chance to express our brand’s mission of providing top care to pets specially to these dogs who have provided comfort and emotional support to those in need. We would like to commend UP for coming up with this brilliant program that benefits both animals and humans alike. We salute the University for this endeavor and for taking good care of our fur friends, the emotional support dogs.”

Fighting Maroons, TopBreed Seal Partnership Deal

The University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) has a new major supporter on board after it inked a partnership deal with TopBreed Dog Meal Tuesday, October 13 as part of their continuous preparation for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season.

TopBreed, formulated to satisfy the nutritional needs of dogs for health, general well-being and optimum performance, is a brand under Universal Robina Corporation’s Agro-Industrial Group (URC-AIG), one of the long-time backers of the Fighting Maroons through its premium farm products unit, Robina Farms.

Present in the memorandum of agreement signing are AIG managing director Vincent Henry Go, marketing director Jonathan Diño, category manager Julie Ann Climacosa, UPMBT manager Atty. Agaton Uvero, head coach Bo Perasol, and nowheretogobutUP Foundation founder Renan Dalisay.

“We are beyond proud to once again be part of the huge crowd of Isko and Iska supporting and rooting for the UP Fighting Maroons. We treasure this partnership with the UPMBT and the whole UP community as we share the same values of integrity, passion for excellence, innovation, and loyalty. Our parallel journeys have shown these values in action,” said Go.

According to Go, the name and reputation that the Fighting Maroons has made for itself mirrors that of TopBreed, the leading Philippine-made dog food brand in the country. The brand also produces top dog essentials like ShamPooch shampoo and TopB+ vitamins.

“TopBreed, just like the Fighting Maroons, has the same ‘never say die’ spirit, rising from the bottom to be one of the most recognized and respected teams today. This achievement mirrors how TopBreed went against internationally-known giant brands and won the hearts of Filipino furparents nationwide.”

Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol expressed his gratitude to the Gokongwei Group of Companies for their unending support through the years.

“We cannot thank them enough. They have been here for us even during our dark years and up to now that we are still facing this pandemic. Their help will really give us a great boost in the upcoming season,” said Perasol.

“Like TopBreed, we were underdogs in our respective fields, but we have both risen to the challenge. We look forward to getting back on the court to give the best that we can for them and for the UP community,” the Maroons mentor added.

UPMBT manager Atty. Uvero also reiterated the team and the management’s gratitude to the Gokongwei Group for the help they continue to receive from the brands despite the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are truly grateful to URC AIG and another one of their brands - TopBreed - for continuing its support to the team despite the business difficulties in these pandemic times,” said Atty. Uvero.

“This partnership is far from the ordinary. This time, we can see the other side of the Fighting Maroons---as furbuddies or furparents. We have must-watch features on the players and coaches with their dogs. We can also catch them on an online pupper meet and greet where we can get to know them more,” said Go.

“TopBreed and UPMBT will also partner in delivering top care to campus dogs through a project called UP Doggo Day. This partnership has much in store for the whole UPMBT crowd,” Diño promised.