Just two out of 24 contenders to be canine companions passed
their tests to become "doctor dogs" in the assessment conducted by
the Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) in Shenzhen on
Saturday morning.
Nini, a pure white female Chihuahua, and Helen, a female golden
retriever, both 2 years old, will join an innovative animal therapy
program to offer company to lonely people after the Spring
Festival.
"We have contacted several welfare institutions and a children's
special-needs early intervention center in Futian District which
have given us a warm welcome. The dogs will soon join disabled
children in games at the center," said Yang Min, AAF's public
relations manager and press spokesperson.
To guarantee that the dogs will be docile company for the
children, elderly and patients, they need to be at least 2 years
old, have lived with their owners for more than six months, are
registered and vaccinated, and pass strict exams by AAF staff
members.
"Those not passing the exam are not mean dogs. Some have got a
strong character and some are just not accustomed to being teased
by strangers," said Anneleise Smillie, director of the "Doctor Dog"
program.
"Take the pug called Lucky for instance: it turned around and
nibbled at my hand to give me a warning when I pulled its hind leg.
It did not hurt me but that was a strong enough reaction to
frighten children trying to play with it. I would recommend the
owner to take it out to socialize with strangers more often. It can
come back for another test in six months since I can see a friendly
nature in Lucky," Smillie said during the exam at Totora Pets
Center in Nanshan District.
Compared with a pass rate of between 20 and 30 percent among
examinees in Guangzhou and about 50 percent in Chengdu, capital of
southwest China's Sichuan Province, the number of qualified dogs
is small in Shenzhen.
"This may be attributed to the high working pressure on
Shenzheners who can spare less time to walk their dogs and
socialize them with other people," said Lan Chou, founder of the
pet lovers' website szdog.org.
Started by Briton Jill Robinson in 1991, the "Doctor Dog"
program has so far more than 300 authorized therapy dogs and
volunteer pet owners who make regular visits to hospitals, disabled
centers, homes for the young and elderly, orphanages and schools in
six Asian countries.
Scientific research has found that playing with pets can help
people relax, feel composed and enhance their immunity system.
On the mainland, the program was first launched in Chengdu in
November 2004 and Guangzhou in March last year.
(Shenzhen Daily January 29, 2007)