PRESENCE OF ANIMALS
DOGS 26
CATS 8
PIGS 0
OTHERS 4
ACTUAL FINDING:
The table gives an insight of the presence of animals in Purok 3, Brgy. Calawagan, Cabanatuan City. It was
found that there are residents who have 26 dogs, 8 cats, with no pigs, and 4 other animals.
NORMAL FINDINGS:
As many of us know, animals provide an avenue for approaching another person socially, serving as a
conversational starting point for connection. Pet ownership alone could be a source of shared interest
and knowledge, even among people who may not have similar interests otherwise.
According to (Mueller, 2022), the presence of an animal can enhance perceptions of trustworthiness and
responsibility, which in turn fosters positive social interactions. Researchers found that people were
more likely to help a stranger with a dog than one without a dog, suggesting that the presence of an
animal conferred perceptions of trust.
For children, interacting with a pet can also provide an additional opportunity to practice positive social
interactions and develop empathy and compassion. Recent research indicates that living with dogs is
associated with better social and emotional skills for children. In our own research at the Tufts Pets and
Well-Being Lab, we also found that teenagers with high levels of attachment to their pets were likely to
have higher levels of social skills and empathy toward others than those
INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS:
The high presence of dogs (68%) in Purok 3, Brgy Calawagan, Cabanatuan City suggests a significant
reliance on these animals for various roles within the community, such as security and providing
companionship. The relatively low number of cats (21%) might indicate a lesser cultural inclination
toward them as domestic pets in this particular neighborhood. The absence of pigs (0%) could imply a
lack of traditional livestock farming practices in the area, while the presence of other animals (11%) hints
at a diverse range of pets or perhaps some wildlife coexisting with the community.
BACKYARD GARDENING
VEGETABLE 24
HERBAL 12
FRUIT BEARING 8
OTHERS 1
ACTUAL FINDING:
The table provides data about backyard gardening in Purok 3, Brgy. Calawagan, Cabanatuan City. It
reveals that 24 households in the area are cultivating vegetables. Additionally, 12 households are
focused on growing herbs, while 8 households are dedicated to nurturing fruit-bearing plants.
NORMAL FINDING:
Home gardening is a way of securing household food security and consumption, according to extensive
studies of Galvin, 2015; Lal, 2020; Sanye-Mengual et al., 2018. However, Mugisa et al. (2016) offered a
general definition that pertained to various ways of growing crops in backyards, balconies, vacant spaces,
or any small garden. As stated in the literature, this type of gardening promotes food security, income
generation, waste management, and a part of leisure and ornamentals.
Gardening positively affects an individual’s source of income, ivelihood, and employment opportunities
(Galhena et al., 2013; Guuroh et al., 2012; Legesse et al., 2016), nutrition and health (Ferdous et al.,
2016; Talukder et al., 2010), and life satisfaction and quality of life (Soga et al., 2017). In terms of well-
being, reviewed literature and studies provided positive outcomes. The research of Ambrose et al. (2020)
concluded that household gardening is strongly associated with increased emotional well-being and
positive emotions such as happiness and meaningfulness. Moreover, a literature review by Schmutz et al.
(2014) signified that involvement in gardening promotes good mental health, reduces stress,
depression, and self-harming behavior as well as improving alertness, cognitive abilities, and social
and community interactions.
INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS:
The table shows that the majority of the gardens consist of vegetables (53%), indicating a focus on
providing fresh and nutritious produce. Herbal plants (27%) and fruit-bearing (18%) also hold significant
presence, showcasing a holistic approach to gardening that includes both culinary and medicinal aspects,
potentially promoting health and self-sufficiency within the community. The presence of other plants
(2%) might indicate a diversity of gardening interests or experimental endeavors within the community.
