Professor Hui-Fen Su and a team from the NPUST Department of Recreational Sport & Health Promotion have launched a University Social Responsibility project under the banner of “Co-prosperity and Happy Companionship between Yong and Old: Creating Sustainable & Happy Homes in Pingtung”. The long-term project was developed to help provide children in Pingtung with more companionship and happy life experiences.
One of the project’s activities was held at the Pingtung County Neipu Parent-Child Center on March 8th. With the aim of fostering interaction between children, disabled children, and the elderly, teacher Shu-shan Luo and a team from the NPUST Working Dog Training Center cooperated with Professor Su Huifen’s to hold an animal-assisted activity, “Little Sunshine Integration Day”.
Project host Su Hui-Fen commented on their objectives, stating that “in the future, we will implement University Social Responsibility in the community, with the aim of creating a ‘platinum society’. We will organize more activities for the elderly and young to learn together, and help the elderly to ‘age in place’, while supporting families with children. Through companionship, children can be happy as they learn, and they, in turn, will bringing more health and happiness to the community.”
For the “Little Sunshine Integration Day”, local children and parents in Neipu Township and children from the special education class at the Jianguo Elementary School affiliated kindergarten were invited to join in the fun. Teacher Shu-shan Luo introduced the participants to their companion dog, “Big Ears”, and got them involved in some fun games with the professionally trained working dog. With the patient encouragement and guidance of the professional trainer, one of the little girls in the group who was originally afraid of dogs was able to successfully participate in the games and interact with a cute little dog for the first time. The games were designed to build up courage and confidence, and teach children how to respect life. Working to foster inter-generational interaction, the grandparents were also brought in to participate. The activity helped enhance relationships between the young and old by creating a common focus that everyone could find enjoyment in, while also providing an inclusive and friendly learning environment where participants could experience the feeling of warmth and care together.
