TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Therapy dog Oba at Taipei Veterans General Hospital will retire this year, CNA reported on Wednesday.

Oba, a 10-year-old therapy dog and Taiwan's first hospital-based “canine doctor," has served patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital for over six years. The hospital said he will be an honorary staff member forever.

Hospital director Chen Wei-ming (陳威明) said that training therapy dogs is not easy. He noted Oba transitioned from a guide dog to a therapy dog, and has never exhibited disruptive behavior within the hospital.

According to Taiwan Dr. Dog, dogs must pass a strict selection procedure before becoming therapy dogs. Dogs must complete socialization courses, tests, and a four-hour internship before joining the service team.

A new therapy dog is currently undergoing training, Chen said. The transition period between the new dog and Oba is expected to last three to six months to ensure no interruption in therapy dog services at the hospital.

Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) visited Oba on Tuesday, bringing homemade beef jerky. 

Taoyuan Psychiatric Center has also introduced therapy dogs, visiting elderly patients twice a month. The center said the presence of pets helps stabilize blood pressure, reduce pain, and increase the release of dopamine, known as the "feel-good" hormone.

Pingtung Prison partnered with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in May to introduce therapy dogs to help inmates increase their sense of personal security and reduce feelings of loneliness. The prison said the therapy dogs will specifically accompany inmates aged 65 and older, or those struggling with adaptation issues.