20/05/2026
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最近閱讀了一篇很有啟發性的文章，想和大家分享。
〈Sentience-centered practice in animal-assisted services: An animal-forward perspective〉（Tedeschi et al., 2026）指出，動物輔助服務不應只著眼於「動物可以如何幫助人類」，而是要明白動物和人一樣，是有感受、有情緒、有需要的夥伴，而非單純的「治療工具」。科學研究與多個國際組織都提出，許多動物具備意識，能夠感到喜悅、恐懼、壓力和好奇等主觀經驗。
文章提出，動物輔助服務需要由「以人為本」（human‑centric model），走向「以感知為本」（sentience‑centered practice）的模式。 也就是說，在設計每一次介入時，我們要先問：「對這隻動物而言，是否安全？是否舒適？牠有沒有選擇權？」
這種觀點與 HKAATA 一直重視的人‑動物關係（human–animal bond）非常一致——在每一個治療空間裡，同時照顧人與動物的福祉，讓大家都能在被尊重與被理解的前提下，一起工作與成長。
參考資料：Tedeschi, P., Leslie, A., & Drescher, K. (2026). Sentience-centered practice in animal-assisted services: An animal-forward perspective. Human-Animal Interactions, 14(1), 0014. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2026.0014
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"Recently, we came across a very thought‑provoking article that I would like to share with you.
“Sentience-centered practice in animal-assisted services: An animal-forward perspective” (Tedeschi et al., 2026) suggests that animal-assisted services should not only focus on “how animals can help humans,” but also recognise that animals, like humans, are partners with their own feelings, emotions, and needs, rather than mere “therapy tools.” Scientific research and several international organisations have pointed out that many animals are conscious beings who can experience joy, fear, stress, curiosity, and other subjective states.
The article proposes that animal-assisted services should move from a human‑centric model towards a sentience‑centered practice. In other words, when we design each intervention, we should first ask: “For this animal, is it safe? Is it comfortable? Does the animal have a real choice?”
This perspective is highly consistent with HKAATA’s emphasis on the human–animal bond: in every therapeutic space, we strive to care for the well‑being of both humans and animals, so that everyone involved can work and grow together in an atmosphere of respect and understanding.
Reference: Tedeschi, P., Leslie, A., & Drescher, K. (2026). Sentience-centered practice in animal-assisted services: An animal-forward perspective. Human-Animal Interactions, 14(1), 0014. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2026.0014"
