HKAATA has always believed that therapy animals are our working partners, not tools. Introducing animals into professional helping work requires comprehensive knowledge, honest introspection, and clear guidance. In 2016, the association collaborated with relevant animal-assisted service organizations in Taiwan and Japan to draft and finalize the Code of Practice (Animal Welfare) in Animal Assisted Intervention, emphasizing the translation of principles into practice to ensure the physical and psychological needs of therapy animals are valued and protected. Examples include:
治療動物及其主人必須由合資格人士、以國際準則作考核及評估，以確保身心狀況合適參與動物輔助服務
“The therapy animal and its handler must receive accreditation from qualified personnel, must be assessed according to international standards, and must be proven to be physically and mentally appropriate to take part in Animal Assisted Intervention.”
治療動物須限時工作
“Animals should be given reasonable and sufficient breaks as well as a time-limit for service (duration, intensity and frequency).”
使用正向及鼓勵為主的方式培育及訓練治療動物
“Use positive and reinforcement-based techniques to nurture / train the therapy animal.”
所有參與的人士(執行專業、義工或狗主）均需接受基本動物行為訓練及督導
“AAI practitioners and handlers must receive basic training and supervision on handling animal behavior.”
