In a spacious office of over a hundred square meters, scattered with various toys, "Dr. Fang" is attending to two young patients. "Dr. Fang," whose real name is Fangbiandai (Convenience Bag), is a tabby cat. Instead of wearing a white coat or writing prescriptions, it serves as an animal-assisted therapist, quietly accompanying visitors and providing them with a warm and stable environment.
Feng Jie, a psychotherapist at Jinan Zhishan Psychological Hospital and assistant of "Dr. Fang", said that Fangbiandai has seen over 300 visitors, particularly excelling at providing emotional support to adolescents under 18. Today, Fangbiandai is a core member of the hospital's animal-assisted therapy program and a highly valued companion, adept at using non-verbal cues to unlock children's hearts. As a result, everyone affectionately calls it "Dr. Fang."
"The relationship between the cat and the child is more than just friendship or simple playtime; it's a therapeutic working relationship," Feng explained. Animal-assisted therapy differs from simply having a pet or a cat cafe experience. It's a professional intervention system with defined goals, planned activities, and feedback mechanisms, requiring the participation of the visitor, the animal therapist, and the psychotherapist.
"Fangbiandai fulfills the three key elements of establishing a sense of security: perceiving emotions, providing immediate feedback, and choosing appropriate responses," Feng marveled. "The ability to receive, respond to, and accompany emotions is a complex and delicate skill, and Fangbiandai seems to possess an innate understanding of its intricacies."
As a psychotherapist, Feng understands that playing with Fangbiandai makes it easier for children to drop their guard and open up, compared to a traditional therapy session or a direct face-to-face consultation.
"Dr. Fang" is highly popular with visitors. In this atmosphere of being seen and accepted, they find their sense of security. "Initially, they were like coiled springs, easily triggered, but now they can absorb a few shocks," Feng noted. One visitor, after spending a month with Fangbiandai, showed a significant improvement in their emotional state, able to tolerate situations two or three times before reacting, and even proactively adjusting their emotions.
As an animal-assisted therapist, "Dr. Fang" uses silent companionship and keen emotional perception to help children open their hearts, alleviate emotional distress, and rediscover a sense of security in a warm and stable space, finding a bridge to understanding and trust.
In Feng's view, these children are all talented, but external pressures have overwhelmed them. She hopes that the "Dr. Fang" studio can provide a buffer zone for children, helping them gradually move from isolation and defensiveness towards understanding and trust, and ultimately reintegrate into society.
(Reporters & Camerapeople: Ding Chunli, Hu Wolong, Intern Xin Ximeng; Editors: Rachel Liu, Hu Wolong; Translator: Rachel Liu; English Editor: Darius)
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