Every Wednesday afternoon, in a classroom of a special school in Hong Kong, children quietly await the arrival of a special “assistant”—a rigorously selected and trained Golden Retriever named “Sunshine.” Guided by a therapist, shy children begin reading softly to “Sunshine,” while children with autism attempt to connect through petting, and recovering patients regain coordination and confidence through interaction with the dog. This is not just a warm moment; it symbolizes the global emergence of “Animal- Assisted Therapy” (AAT) as a mainstream approach in medical and social services.

In 2017, public concern for animal welfare in Hong Kong has surpassed the mere principle of “not abusing” animals, prompting society to explore the positive value animals can bring. In parallel, pressing social issues such as an aging population and rising mental health needs have come to the forefront. At this intersection, systematically researching and promoting the development of AAT in Hong Kong can open a new dimension for animal welfare focused on “creating social value,” while also providing a unique and compassionate complement to our healthcare, education, and social welfare systems. This is not merely an embellishment; it is a forward-looking investment in constructing a more inclusive and healthier society.

• What is Animal-Assisted Therapy? Value Beyond Companionship
  
  Animal-assisted interventions encompass a broad category, primarily divided into two types:
  
  • Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT): Led by medical or mental health professionals, AAT sets specific therapeutic goals (such as improving motor function, reducing anxiety, and enhancing communication motivation) as part of a formal treatment plan.
    
  • Animal-Assisted Activities: These activities focus more on providing companionship, comfort, and entertainment opportunities to enhance the quality of life, often seen in visits to nursing homes and hospital wards, and do not necessarily have fixed therapeutic goals.

The scientific value of AAT has gained widespread international recognition. Interactions with therapy animals have been proven to effectively lower blood pressure, slow heart rates, reduce stress and anxiety, and stimulate the release of endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals. Animals can serve as powerful mediators to break down communication barriers and motivate individuals in fields such as child development, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dementia care, and rehabilitation. For animals, participating in such work, when adhering to strict welfare guidelines (such as voluntary participation, limited work hours, and stress monitoring), can provide rich psychological stimulation and positive interactions, achieving a “win-win” for both humans and animals.

• Foundations for Development in Hong Kong: Enthusiasm From the Community and a Policy Vacuum
  
  In 2017, Hong Kong displays a notable characteristic: “enthusiasm from the community, but a vacuum in the system.” On one hand, some pioneering organizations and passionate individuals have voluntarily led therapy dog visits in the community, planting seeds of positive interaction. Some special education institutions or rehabilitation centers have also been making sporadic but beneficial attempts. These grassroots efforts have proven the existence of societal demand and the feasibility of the model.
  
  However, to scale, professionalize, and ensure the safety of this beneficial interaction, Hong Kong faces foundational gaps:
  
  • Lack of Official Standards and Certification: What constitutes a qualified “therapy animal”? What are the health, temperament, and training criteria for selection? What professional qualifications do animal handlers require? There are no officially or industry-recognized answers to these core questions, leading to varying service quality and difficulty in managing potential risks.
  • Lack of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Platforms: AAT inherently requires interdisciplinary cooperation among veterinary medicine, animal behavior, social work, psychology, and occupational therapy professionals. Hong Kong has yet to establish mechanisms that facilitate such collaboration.
  • Lack of Policy Support and Resource Guidance: The government has not yet integrated AAT into the framework of public health, social welfare, or educational development at the policy level, resulting in a lack of corresponding resource investment, professional training support, or systemic promotion.
  • Public Awareness Still in its Infancy: The public’s understanding is often limited to the emotional appeal of “pet visits,” with insufficient awareness of the scientific basis, professional standards, and potential therapeutic effects.
    
• Policy Promotion Roadmap: From Building Foundations to Achieving Integration
  
  To transform animal-assisted therapy from scattered acts of kindness into a reliable and accessible professional option in Hong Kong’s social service system, a strategic plan encompassing foundational development to deep integration is essential. We propose the following four-step policy recommendations:
  
  • Step One: Government Leadership in Establishing a Cross-Departmental Steering Committee with Professional Standards.
    This is the cornerstone of development. The Food and Health Bureau should collaborate with the Social Welfare Department, Education Bureau, and relevant professional organizations to establish an “Animal-Assisted Intervention Development Steering Committee.” Its primary task is to draw on international experience (e.g., standards from the American Association of Animal-Assisted Interventions) to develop practical guidelines for AAT and AAA that are applicable to Hong Kong. The guidelines must include: criteria for selecting therapy animals, health and immunization requirements, training assessment standards; core competencies and training frameworks for operators; and measures to ensure animal welfare during the service process (such as workload intensity, stress signal identification, and exit mechanisms). This will establish safety and professional benchmarks for the entire field.
    
  • Step Two: Support Pilot Projects to Accumulate Local Empirical Data.
    The government should provide support through public tenders or special funding for rigorous pilot projects in public hospitals (such as rehabilitation and psychiatric departments), elderly care homes, and special schools for 2-3 years. These projects must be executed by professional teams and include effectiveness assessment research, scientifically collecting and analyzing data on the impact of AAT on specific user groups. These local empirical results will be the strongest evidence for advocating broader policy recognition and resource allocation in the future.
    
  • Step Three: Cultivate Professional Talent and Partner Networks.
    Promote universities to offer elective or certificate courses in animal-assisted interventions within relevant departments (such as social work, psychology, nursing, and veterinary medicine) to train professionals with competencies in helping others and understanding animal welfare. Additionally, establish a local certification system for therapy animal trainers and encourage the formation of professional AAT service organizations. The steering committee should regularly host seminars to promote networking and collaboration among professionals from different sectors.
    
  • Step Four: Public Education and Long-Term Planning.
    Through public education initiatives, promote the scientific and professional aspects of animal-assisted therapy to enhance public awareness. In the long term, the government should explore gradually incorporating empirically effective AAT projects into relevant public service procurement lists or funding scopes, such as adding this option to the routine services offered by certain social welfare organizations to ensure it remains a sustainable welfare choice for service users.

Conclusion

In 2017, Hong Kong stands at an excellent starting point to expand the connotations of animal welfare and innovate social service models. The development of animal-assisted therapy not only opens a new healing window for the elderly, children, and patients in need but also sends a message to the entire society: animals are not just subjects to be protected; they can become active partners in building a better society.

This requires vision, planning, and investment. We call on the Hong Kong SAR government to adopt an open and proactive attitude, taking on the role of a system builder to unite the community’s scattered sparks into a vast galaxy of professional opportunities. Investing in this initiative is an investment in a more caring, intelligent future where humans and animals harmoniously coexist in Hong Kong. Let us join hands, not only in providing shelter for animals but also in inviting them to co-author the next warm chapter of this city.