Therapeutic use of companion animals: Applying animal-assisted therapy in supporting students with special educational needs

AAT has become widespread in the fi eld of psychotherapy in Western countries as a means of supporting students with SEN. Over the past decade, AAT has also received growing attention in Hong Kong. Some local nongovernment AAT organizations have been established in recent years, and they have played important roles in facilitating the development of AAT in the local context; their work to recruit, screen and train therapy dogs makes AAT implementation possible. Meanwhile, local AAT studies (e.g. Fung, 2014, 2015; Fung and Leung, 2014) and seminars also provide knowledge and insights for the helping professionals and AAT organization personnel. All of these factors combine to create the necessary conditions for developing AAT in Hong Kong. Copyright © 2016 Taylor and Francis.