A therapy dog interacts with the crowd during an activity at an international school in Beijing on Dec 19, 2024. [Photo by Wuqi Pet Studio/For chinadaily.com.cn]
An international school in Beijing recently hosted an interactive activity to raise awareness about therapy dogs.
The volunteer therapy dog program Paw for Heal (PFH) organized the event. Their goal is to bring the healing power of animals into schools and support the healthy growth of youngsters. PFH's Beijing therapy dog team brought the teachers and students joy, showcasing the harmony and beauty of human-animal relationships.
A therapy dog interacts with the crowd during an activity at an international school in Beijing on Dec 19, 2024. [Photo by Wuqi Pet Studio/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Beyond schools, therapy dogs are also used in communities and elderly nursing homes to provide emotional support, social interaction and exercise motivation for various groups, such as senior citizens, children and individuals with autism.
Paw for Heal was founded by pet behavior expert Wu Qi in 2012. It has collaborated with specialists in autism recovery, elderly care, neuroscience and special education to develop courses for training therapy dogs and applying them in assisted therapy, providing physical, cognitive and emotional assistance.
Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.
A therapy dog interacts with the crowd during an activity at an international school in Beijing on Dec 19, 2024. [Photo by Wuqi Pet Studio/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Doctors from Peking Union Medical College Hospital interact with a therapy dog at a free clinic during Elderly Health Week in Beijing in July 2023. [Photo by Peking Union Medical College Hospital/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Doctors from Peking Union Medical College Hospital interact with a therapy dog at a free clinic during Elderly Health Week in Beijing in July 2023. [Photo by Peking Union Medical College Hospital/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Therapy dogs interact with senior citizens and children during a community event in Beijing on Dec 22, 2024. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]
Therapy dogs interact with senior citizens and children during a community event in Beijing on Dec 22, 2024. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]
Therapy dogs interact with senior citizens and children during a community event in Beijing on Dec 22, 2024. [Photo by Wang Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]
