Man's best friend is playing a part in helping the city's 'hermit' youngsters become socially integrated.
'I used to play video games all day long, more than 10 hours a day,' said 17-year-old Ah Kei, who dropped out of secondary school. 'At first I was terrified by those big dogs, but now I find playing with them so much fun.'
The dogs are used in animal-assisted therapy programmes run by the Chinese Evangelical Zion Church Social Youth Employment Training and Creativity Development Centre.
Ah Kei is one of 33 socially withdrawn teenagers aged from 15 to 24 involved in a two-year 'Regain Momentum' programme - sponsored by the Bank of China - which the centre started last September. He sought help from the centre in 2009 and got involved in pet-related activities such as an animal grooming course.
Helen Pong, who owns 10-year-old golden retriever 'dog doctor' Cha Cha, said she saw a change in the youth at the centre. 'At first they were afraid of this huge dog, but as time goes by, they make friends and - to their delight - he recognises them ... They're happier, and everyone here is getting more involved,' she said.
Socially withdrawn teenagers, or 'hermit youth', are unemployed school drop-outs who refuse to leave their homes for long periods to avoid social interaction with others.