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Just two out of 24 contenders to be canine companions passed their tests to become "doctor dogs" in the assessment conducted by the Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) in Shenzhen on Saturday morning.

Nini, a pure white female Chihuahua, and Helen, a female golden retriever, both 2 years old, will join an innovative animal therapy program to offer company to lonely people after the Spring Festival.

"We have contacted several welfare institutions and a children's special-needs early intervention center in Futian District which have given us a warm welcome. The dogs will soon join disabled children in games at the center," said Yang Min, AAF's public relations manager and press spokesperson.

To guarantee that the dogs will be docile company for the children, elderly and patients, they need to be at least 2 years old, have lived with their owners for more than six months, are registered and vaccinated, and pass strict exams by AAF staff members.

"Those not passing the exam are not mean dogs. Some have got a strong character and some are just not accustomed to being teased by strangers," said Anneleise Smillie, director of the "Doctor Dog" program.

"Take the pug called Lucky for instance: it turned around and nibbled at my hand to give me a warning when I pulled its hind leg. It did not hurt me but that was a strong enough reaction to frighten children trying to play with it. I would recommend the owner to take it out to socialize with strangers more often. It can come back for another test in six months since I can see a friendly nature in Lucky," Smillie said during the exam at Totora Pets Center in Nanshan District.

Compared with a pass rate of between 20 and 30 percent among examinees in Guangzhou and about 50 percent in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, the number of qualified dogs is small in Shenzhen.

"This may be attributed to the high working pressure on Shenzheners who can spare less time to walk their dogs and socialize them with other people," said Lan Chou, founder of the pet lovers' website szdog.org.

Started by Briton Jill Robinson in 1991, the "Doctor Dog" program has so far more than 300 authorized therapy dogs and volunteer pet owners who make regular visits to hospitals, disabled centers, homes for the young and elderly, orphanages and schools in six Asian countries.

Scientific research has found that playing with pets can help people relax, feel composed and enhance their immunity system.

On the mainland, the program was first launched in Chengdu in November 2004 and Guangzhou in March last year.

(Shenzhen Daily January 29, 2007)