Dr. LAU Hi Po, BoboBoboDr. LAU Hi PoChan, Alex Kin-shingAlex Kin-shingChanDr. DOS SANTOS Luis Miguel, LouisLouisDr. DOS SANTOS Luis MiguelDr. NGAI Tsz-kin, JoeJoeDr. NGAI Tsz-kinLaw, StephanieStephanieLawLee, Miu-YeeMiu-YeeLeeCheung, DavidDavidCheung2026-06-242026-06-242025Lau, H. P., Chan, A. K. S., Dos Santos, L. M., Ngai, J. T. K., Law, S., Lee, M. Y., & Chung, D. (29 Nov 2025). The furry companion: A realist evaluation of a residential companion dog program in local care and attention homes for the elderly. 32nd Annual Congress of Gerontology cum 39th Annual General Meeting, Grand Hall, Convention Centre 3 (12W), Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/27666Purpose<br> Human-animal interactions foster psychological, social, and physical well-being of older adults. However, seldom have studies elaborated how a resident therapy dog could be engaged in a care home to contribute to the well-being of the residents, as well as the contextual factors that lead to practices which safeguard both dog welfare and program effectiveness.<br> Method This study employed a mixed-method design to evaluate the impact of a 3-month residential therapy dog program in two care and attention homes for the elderly in Tuen Mun.<br> Results<br> Pre-post comparisons of depression scores showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms among 28 residents with dementia (age: 70-96), but not so in the 15 cognitive healthy residents (Age: 62-93). However, item-level analysis demonstrated substantial drop in boredom and increase in life satisfaction. A qualitative study was also conducted using focus groups with staff and individual interviews with cognitively healthy residents to capture the impacts and their factors in a contextualized manner. Thematic analysis revealed that spontaneously developed intimacy between the dog and residents fostered motivation for activities, and the human-dog bonding empowered residents with a caregiver role for consolation and meaning. The staff generally welcomed the program but adequate training and preparation, favorable attitudes from the management on person-centered care and confidence in animalassisted interventions were vital to the staff’s appreciation of their human-animal collaboration. Lastly, the pleasurable bonding between the staff, residents and the dogs were founded upon prerequisites including adequate manpower, adequate physical space and seamless support from the dog training institution.<br> Conclusion<br> Our findings illustrate an innovative and viable model for incorporating therapy animals in local care homes with active involvement from the dog training institution for ensuring dog welfare and program integrity. Our findings may also assist the development of an inclusive environment for aging animal owners in the future.enConference Paper