Hannibal also took part in animal-assisted activities with Therapy Dogs Singapore for six years, bringing comfort to patients at the Institute of Mental Health and residents at MINDSville@Napiri, a home for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Today, Ong is among a small group of people who seek out hard-to-adopt animals – those that are old, sick or have severe behavioural problems.
THE LEAST ADOPTABLE DOG
Tracillia Sia had just lost her beloved silky terrier when she attended an adoption drive by Purely Adoptions with her husband in 2019. The 57-year-old cargo manager was shown photos of two Jack Russells.
Unable to decide between the two, the couple, who have an adult daughter, asked for the least adoptable dog. A few days later, they were shown Rex, a Jack Russell estimated to be around 10 years old.
“He had a very weak hindleg and couldn’t walk very steadily. From what we heard, the former owner chained him all the time and didn’t treat him well.
“He was blind in one eye because it was hit by an object and the injury wasn’t treated. He was quite fearful of humans so when you try to touch him, he would try to avoid you or bite.”
Because of his weak hindleg, Rex would sometimes fall sideways and struggle to get up.
Overcome with pity, she brought the dog home. During the first week, Rex bit Sia’s mother. The family even had to muzzle it for baths.
But after three months of love and patience, Rex warmed up to the family, gradually became calm even around strangers and no longer had to be muzzled.
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