Sometimes, healing comes from the warmth of a furry companion.

Laughter echoed through Qibao Town Nursing Home in Shanghai's Minhang district recently. A pug named Fafa rested gently against Grandpa Pan's knee, while a fluffy Pomeranian named Mianhuatang (marshmallow) curled up in Grandma Chai's arms as she stroked its soft coat.

During this dog-assisted therapy session, five therapy dogs comfort seniors with body warmth and quiet companionship.

Grandpa Pan, who is almost 80, has resided in the nursing home for more than seven years. His eyes lit up when he saw Fafa.

"I used to have a big yellow dog at home that followed me everywhere. But ever since I moved in here, I haven't touched a dog again," Pan said.

Grandma Chai, who suffers from cognitive impairment, is usually restless — constantly pacing up and down the corridors of the nursing home. That day, however, she sat quietly in her chair, stroking Mianhuatang over and over again.

Wu Yun, director of Qibao Town Nursing Home, said the pet-assisted therapy session was inspired by the experience of one of the nursing home’s residents. An elderly resident in the facility's dementia unit had long suffered from insomnia. One day, the resident picked up a plush toy cat and stroked it for a long while. Surprisingly, the resident briefly fell asleep.

"If a plush toy can make a difference, wouldn't live animals be even more effective?" Wu said.

The nursing home then contacted the SanSan Pet Public Welfare Service Center. Wu said therapy dogs can not only relieve seniors' boredom but also have a noticeable calming effect on residents with cognitive impairment. The nursing home is now planning to make pet-based dementia therapy a regular program.

Most of the therapy dogs were once strays, said Zhai Jiang, founder of SanSan. The center selects stray dogs with stable temperaments and strong socialization skills, then trains them systematically, transforming them from recipients of help into helpers themselves.

It now has more than 10 registered therapy dogs serving nursing homes, mental health facilities, and autism rehabilitation classrooms across Shanghai.

"An unexpected outcome of this initiative is that it has reshaped the perception of stray animals among many families without pets," said Zhai.

"These dogs are not a burden. When properly guided, they can reach straight into the hearts of those who struggle with social connection and become the gentlest bridge of all."

Source: Xinmin Evening News