A Survey of Circumstances Regarding Service Dogs in Medical Facilities; Changes Over a 12-year Period

Abstract

Objective: We survey the circumstances relating to service dogs in medical facilities every three years since 2008. We report the change over a 12-year period. Method: The fifth questionnaire was sent out to nursing directors at 212 hospitals in Hyogo Prefecture and 205 in Fukuoka, Japan in October and November 2020. To avoid the risk of COVID-19 infection, the responses were collected on the web. Result: The collection rate for questionnaires was 16.1%, substantially decreased from 44.7% in 2017. In Hyogo, 18.5% of the facilities in 2008, 31.9% in 2011, 34.4% in 2014, 19.3% in 2017, and 34.0% in 2020, similarly to 2014, experienced the visits of service dog users. In Fukuoka, 17.9% in 2011, 19.2% in 2014, 9.7% in 2017, and 15.0% in 2020, similarly to 2014, experienced in the same fashion. Meanwhile, in Hyogo, 8.3% in 2008, 12.4% in 2011, 18.3% in 2014, 22.9% in 2017, and 14.9% in 2020, decreased from the past two surveys, displayed assistance dog welcome stickers. In contrast, 8.0% in 2011, 10.8% in 2014, 12.8% in 2017, and 23.4% in 2020, gradually increasing since 2011, displayed assistance dog enlightenment posters. Discussion: Although the low collection rate, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the following chaotic conditions in medical facilities, may affect the results, few changes have been observed in the circumstances of acceptance and enlightenment of service dogs since 2014. Conclusion: To promote the smooth acceptance of service dog users in medical facilities, enlightenment activities onsite and offsite are necessary even under the COVID-19 pandemic.