When therapy comes with fur
From counseling centers to college campuses, therapy animals are playing a growing role in mental health care across China.
Like many counseling centers, Genshine Psychology in Shandong province has a photo wall of its lead therapists. But one "therapist" stands out — a stray cat named Fangbiandai, which means "plastic bag" in Chinese.
Fangbiandai was rescued by a local stray cat group and brought home in a plastic bag, which inspired his unusual name. He now plays a key role in Genshine's animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program.
"Therapy animals must be honest, tolerant, and sociable," said Zhang Jingxuan, Genshine's director and chief physician.
Zhang noted that Fangbiandai not only meets these criteria but also embodies resilience — once an abandoned stray, he is now cheerful and confident, sharing that emotional strength with the children he meets.
Genshine first began incorporating AAT into its psychological programs after Zhang and his team observed that children showed significant emotional progress when interacting with animals.
"Animals have a unique way of connecting with children," Zhang said.
