When therapy comes with fur

Although AAT is still relatively uncommon in China, it has been gaining recognition in recent years, according to Wu Qi, a pet behavior expert and founder of Paw for Heal (PFH), a volunteer therapy dog program established in 2012.

Wu's interest in AAT began after a parent described how animals helped children with autism. That moment inspired Wu to transition from general pet training to therapy dog training.

"Therapy dogs need to be able to adapt to different environments, stay friendly with people, and respond to basic commands," Wu explained.

In the beginning, Wu trained therapy dogs at a dedicated facility and brought them to institutions such as schools and care centers. But he soon realized that this method was costly and inefficient. So, in 2017, he shifted his focus to developing standardized training and assessment criteria for therapy dogs and began encouraging pet-owning families to volunteer.

Today, PFH has nearly 5,000 volunteers, including around 500 certified therapy dog teams — volunteers and their dogs who have passed official assessments.

"Animals can help people who've experienced trauma reconnect with the world and rebuild social skills," Wu said.

He recalled working with an autistic child for 10 years, during which a therapy dog helped the child gain trust in therapists and progress from struggling with speech to eventually learning to ride a bike.

PFH now serves people across all age groups — from children with autism and teenagers to adults and seniors in hospice care — not only offering therapeutic support but also promoting overall mental well-being.