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  • Formally known as FAAATA , Formosa Animal-Assisted Activity and Therapy Association
Accomplishments
As of mid-2006, we have over 120 Dr. Dogs in service. Their breeds include Labrador and Golden retriever, Maltese, Chihuahua, Miniature Dachshund, Shih Tsu,Husky,Miniature Poodle, Basset Hound, West Highland White Terrier, Beagle, Old English Sheepdog, Yorkshires, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, Pyrenean Mountain Dog as well as many mix-breed dogs. The Dr. Dog team volunteers make regular visits to over 40 institutions in Taipei, TaiChung and KaoHsiung . The institutions include hospitals, nursing homes, special education/ development centers, centers for children of special needs, rehabilitation centers…etc.

The National Science Council-sponsored research on Dr. Dogs revealed that the elderly and children did show substantial therapeutic improvements with the intervention of Dr. Dogs. There are also heart-warming stories during Dr. Dog's visits. At the school of the First Social Welfare Foundation there once was a shy little girl who suffered from cerebral palsy and had weak leg muscles. Through contacts and encouragement from Dr. Dogs, she eventually made her first steps. At Chung-Ai Development Center, an autistic young man who retired into an insular world without uttering a single word for his whole life of 32 years began communicating by drawing a picture of a Dr. Dog in its first visit to show his affection for Dr. Dog.

Taiwan Dr. Dog was honored to have been awarded with the Readers Digest's "Hero for Today" accolade for the first Dr. Dog program in Asia. Dr. Dog JoJo was also awarded the regional ambassador by the Animal Planet Channel in 2002. This unique program not only provides animal-assisted activity & therapy, but also performs a multi-functional role in educating the society and enlightening people to love animals and respect all lives.