Dr Dog Guangzhou success!

Since the official launch of Dr. Dog in Guangzhou in March 2006, the programme has gone from strength to strength...

Little Dr. Pea Pea was a hit!

The first visit took place at an elderly care home and the response was overwhelming as patients as old as 106 clamoured to hold and kiss the smallest dog - Dr. Happy! Staff commented on the increased mobility and social interaction amongst the patients as they took great delight in walking the dogs and brushing their coats. Listening to the peals of laughter echoing around the day room, it was clear to everyone present that our four-legged ambassadors really can and do change people's attitudes towards animals.

News of Dr. Dog's successful launch soon spread with over 50 news and magazine articles appearing throughout Guangdong (the dog and cat eating capital of China), as well as widespread television coverage, which helped to promote our message of "People and Animals Living in Harmony" throughout the province.

As more and more people heard about the amazing power of animal therapy the waiting list of potential new recruits quickly grew to over 60 dogs -14 of which passed the next examinations in July, bringing the total number of registered Dr. Dogs in Guangzhou to 18!

The Dr Dog Guangzhou team

Our Dr. Dogs make regular visits to three elderly care homes and are especially popular at the Haizhu handicapped recovery center for children. Visits often take place in the garden, giving the children a much-needed opportunity to simply have fun with the dogs. Watching the children jump up and down, literally bursting with excitement as they wait their turn to walk Dr. Mao Mao or Dr. GiGi, or gently taking turns to comb Dr. Xiao Xiao's fur is truly heart-warming and shows just how much these visits mean to people in need.

2007 looks set to be another exciting year for Dr. Dog in China as we expand to Shenzhen with local animal welfare group "Shenzhen Dog Website" working as our Dr. Dog support group to help recruit the first group of potential dogs for examination in January!

The above article is transfered from Animals Asia