Thursday, 4 June 2026On 27 May 2026, ten of us had the incredible opportunity to participate in an animal therapy workshop on campus. Hosted by the Hong Kong Animal Assisted Therapy Association (HKAATA), the session introduced us to the fascinating world of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) – and it is safe to say we all left with full hearts and big smiles.
The highlights of the session were undoubtedly our two four legged guest lecturers: Kuma and Suet Big (Sprite). Far from just being adorable, these highly trained therapy dogs showed us exactly how animals can heal, comfort, and connect with humans.
Before the workshop, many of us just thought of therapy dogs as pets you could pet when you were stressed. However, the HKAATA team showed us that there is a deep science to it. We learnt about:
* The Role of a Therapy Dog: How these dogs are trained to read human emotions and provide targeted comfort.
* Animal Communication: How to safely approach an animal and understand their body language.
* The Power of Connection: How simply sitting with a dog can lower heart rates and reduce anxiety.
We were lucky enough to attend the event. I can honestly say the atmosphere in the room transformed the moment Kuma and Sprite walked through the door. Any academic stress or midweek exhaustion we were feeling instantly melted away. It was not just about petting a dog; it was about the unconditional acceptance they offer. For an hour, we were not worrying about exams or assignments. We were just entirely present in the moment.
We got to interact closely with both dogs, practising gentle handling techniques and watching them respond to commands with eager, wagging tails. Seeing Sprite’s calm and Kuma’s joyful, grounding presence showed us the beautiful spectrum of personalities that therapy animals bring to their vital work. It was a profound lesson in empathy, reminding us how much we can learn from our animal companions about patience, kindness, and emotional awareness.
We walked out of the workshop not only with a wealth of knowledge about animal assisted therapy but also with a renewed sense of well being. A massive thank you to HKAATA, their wonderful handlers, and, of course, Kuma and Suet Big, for bringing so much meaning and joy to our school week!
Check out some photos from the workshop below to see Kuma and Suet Big in action!