{"id":11537,"date":"2025-03-07T12:13:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T04:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hkaata.com\/?page_id=11537"},"modified":"2025-03-10T11:20:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T03:20:03","slug":"about-hkaata","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hkaata.com\/?page_id=11537&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"About HKAATA"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n About HKAATA <\/div>\n

\n Who are we? <\/h1>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Hong Kong Animal Assisted Therapy Association (HKAATA) is a self-financing non-profit organization. Since 2008, we have been introducing animal-assisted therapy to marginalized youth, children, and those in need, tailoring effective therapeutic interventions for our service recipients. Officially established in 2013, our team comprises various professionals, including experienced social workers specializing in youth and children with special learning needs, counseling psychologists, registered teachers, and more. HKAATA’s animal-assisted therapy team undergoes training and assessment to become certified animal-assisted therapy practitioners. We are the only designated alliance partner in Hong Kong for the Professional Animal Therapy Association (PATA) in Taiwan, making us the sole organization in Hong Kong led and operated by certified animal-assisted therapy practitioners accredited by PATA. HKAATA is a full member of the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organization (IAHAIO)<\/a> and a member of its International Animal Welfare Working Group.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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certified animal-assisted therapy practitioners<\/div>\t\t\t
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therapy dogs have participated in our services<\/div>\t\t\t
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service sessions<\/div>\t\t\t
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\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n Our Mission <\/div>\n

\n Our Beliefs <\/h1>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe believe that animals are little angels sent by a higher power to humanity, serving as good friends and companions.\n\nAnimals can bring many positive influences and benefits to people. Through professional intervention methods, we bring the healing effects of animal-assisted therapy to those in need. We believe that animals can enrich our lives, helping us live happier and more meaningful lives.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Promote the concept of interaction and close relationships between humans and animals, as well as animal-assisted therapy in society.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Provide professional and customized animal-assisted therapy for those in need to enhance their quality of life.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Offer systematic training and certification for therapy dogs and their handlers, enabling participants to volunteer with their pets to bring care and enhance connections in society.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Advocate for and practice the welfare of therapy animals.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Provide educational opportunities and sharing for professionals on how to integrate goal-oriented and ethically sound therapeutic approaches with animal-assisted interventions (therapy\/activities\/education).<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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We believe that the “golden triangle” composed of therapists, therapy dog handlers (the owners of therapy dogs), and therapy dogs is a crucial collaborative relationship for delivering high-quality animal-assisted therapy! This philosophy aligns with the development of our association, where we place great emphasis on the professionalism of therapists and the training of our therapy dog team (THERAPAWS team). It is through this approach that we can deliver the best to those we aim to help.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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According to the international definition, those suitable for conducting animal-assisted therapy must be licensed or registered professionals in the helping professions, and they also need to undergo systematic training, education, and supervision in animal-assisted interventions.<\/p>

Qualifications of the HKAATA Animal-Assisted Therapy Team:<\/p>