Silla University Department of Companion Animal Science Establishes Animal-Assisted Therapy Collaboration System with KHAI

New Major in Animal Behavior and Animal-Assisted Therapy
Strengthening Academic, Practical, and Certification Foundations

The Department of Companion Animal Science at Silla University (President Heo Namsik) has signed a work agreement with the Korean Human-Animal Interaction Association (KHAI) to strengthen the academic foundation in the field of animal behavior and animal-assisted therapy, as well as to train specialized professionals.

The signing ceremony, held on November 20 in the meeting room of the Companion Animal Specialization (I-URP) Project Group, was attended by Bae Ilkwon, Director of the Silla University Animal-Assisted Support Center (Professor of Companion Animal Science), Han Jinsu, Chairman of KHAI, Shim Hyemi, Professor of Bio-Healing Convergence at Konkuk University, and other key stakeholders.

Silla University’s Department of Companion Animal Science has signed a cooperation agreement with the Korean Human-Animal Interaction Society to establish a collaborative system for animal-assisted therapy. Photo by Silla University

Through this agreement, the two institutions will closely collaborate in various areas, including: advancement of major curricula, cooperation in the fields of professional manpower, certification, and practical training, revitalization of joint research and academic exchange, and the establishment of a community-based animal-assisted therapy system.

Silla University is preparing to expand the department into the College of Companion Animal Science in the 2026 academic year and to launch a new major in animal behavior and animal-assisted therapy. With this agreement, Silla University and KHAI plan to introduce, for the first time in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, a certification and evaluation system for therapy dogs, and to lay the groundwork for more rapidly responding to the animal-assisted therapy needs of local public, educational, and welfare institutions. This is also expected to further strengthen the university’s role as a regional hub for animal-assisted support in the Yeongnam area.

Immediately following the signing ceremony, Han Jinsu, Chairman of KHAI (Professor at Konkuk University), and Professor Shim Hyemi held a guest seminar on the topic, "A New Discipline Connecting Animals and Humans: The Beginning of Animal Behavior and Animal-Assisted Therapy."

The lecture covered in-depth topics such as the concept and history of animal-assisted therapy, international research trends, clinical case studies, and directions for professional standardization. It attracted significant interest from not only students of the Department of Companion Animal Science, but also from students and field experts in counseling, welfare, healthcare, and education.

The Korean Human-Animal Interaction Association (KHAI) is an organization composed of professors and graduates of the Animal-Assisted Therapy major at Konkuk University, along with related experts, and is leading evidence-based practice (AEP) animal-assisted therapy in Korea. Through this agreement, Silla University is expected to accelerate the establishment of an international-standard-based animal-assisted therapy (AAT) education system.

Bae Ilkwon, Director of the Silla University Animal-Assisted Support Center, stated, "This agreement and seminar mark a significant turning point that will drive a qualitative leap in Korea’s animal behavior and animal-assisted therapy education system," adding, "We will do our utmost to cultivate talent specialized in the companion animal industry with both academic and clinical expertise."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.