DEAN OF STUDENTS' OFFICE

Comfort Paws Program

Our In-house Therapy Dogs

Staff Owner: Prof. Chii SHANG
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Residence Master of UG Hall VII
Luna is living on campus in UG Hall VII!

Quiet and sweet-tempered, Luna will warmly observe and sniff you to see how you’re doing when she first gets to know you!

Originated from Japan, the Shiba Inu is bred for hunting – so you’d think Luna’s quiet and reserved when you first meet her, but once there’s something that catches her attention (like a ball or a treat), she’ll dash as fast as lightning to get it!

As much as she loves playing though, Luna’s an elegant lady at heart. When she sits on the ground to rest, she’ll cross her front paws in a dignified fashion. This lady does prefer her circles to be small, so she likes working with smaller groups of people. Remember to respect Luna’s boundaries for her personal space when she walks away from you!

Yvonne Shih (Mrs. Shang) has been an important part of the HKUST community, providing comfort and support to many. Her dedication and generosity have made a significant difference in the lives of students. We are grateful for her selfless service and will always remember her contributions to our community.

Staff Owner: Prof. Garvin Percy DIAS
Associate Professor of Business Education, ISOM
Residence Master of UG Hall IX
Bruno is living on campus in UG Hall IX!

Bruno’s a gentle giant who will ignite an energetic fire in your soul when you first meet him!

As a breed, German Shepherds are known to be the among the most loyal and protective dogs.

Bruno’s resilience is also something to behold. He wasn’t always so big; when Prof. Dias took him in, he had just been abandoned and he suffered. Some dogs can be traumatized and cease to trust humans, but Bruno still exudes so much positivity and befriends us.

You’d never have guessed he survived such an ordeal with the way he smiles during his favourite body rubs now. In fact, Bruno isn’t afraid of more than one person touching him at the same time, so feel free to give him full body rubs!

Staff Owner: Ms Wendy TANG
Assistant Director (Alumni)

Chow Jai is a shy but attentive gentleman with a charming smile that will instantly make you feel at ease.

Originating from Malta, a tiny island south of Sicily, the Maltese have been considered the aristocrat of the dog world for over 28 centuries. Known for their gentle, affectionate, intelligent, and responsive nature, Chow Jai is a perfect example of this beloved breed.

Despite his past experience of being abandoned, Chow Jai remains a mature gentleman who loves to make new friends. He's a little shy at first, but don't let that fool you - he's very lively and loves to approach different people with his bright smile. When he comes to you, he'll softly sniff your hand to gauge your friendliness, but he won't stay for too long as he doesn't want to scare you. It's important to treat him patiently so that he can understand your friendly signals and build a trusting relationship with you.

Get to know about therapy dog

I. What is a Therapy Dog?

A dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, people with learning difficulties, and stressful situations. Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations.

Alliance of Therapy Dogs - https://www.therapydogs.com/difference-therapy-dog-vs-service-dog

II. Who may benefit from therapy dogs?

Unlike service dogs that are trained to perform tasks and to do work that eases their handlers’ disabilities, therapy dogs also receive training but have a completely different type of job. Therapy dogs provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers, while service dogs provide therapy directly to their handlers.

Therapy dogs help people feel better by letting them pet and comb their coat, rub their belly and performing tricks. These simple interactions can make people feel happier and relaxed.