SHANGHAI, June 22 -- AN organization that takes dogs to visit sick children or seniors living in nursing homes is working to set up an office in Shanghai, but expects it will take three years before the local branch can open for business.

The Asia Animal Foundation has already set up offices in Shenzhen, Chengdu and Guangzhou, but failed when it tried to open a local branch in 2004.

The organization is currently looking for an office and director in the city, in response to e-mails from lonely seniors and dog owners who have heard about the project in other parts of China and would like to get involved in Shanghai.

The AAF was ready to set up a local office in 2004, but the director hired to run the branch quit suddenly for personal reasons and the whole project was dropped, said Yang Min, a public relations manager at AAF's Guangzhou office.

"We'd like to choose a suitable person who loves dogs, is familiar with veterinary knowledge, and is devoted," she said of the search for a director for the local office.

Dogs have proven beneficial in helping seniors deal with loneliness and getting autistic children to open more to the outside world.

Dogs participating in the project must be trained and pass a physical exam.