2010 Volume 4 Issue 1 Pages 11-16
In this paper, I try to find out how we can increase the social awareness and acceptance of service dogs in Japan, indicating the results of the research among college students of department of animal health technology, who have much knowledge of companion animals. The students have experienced various occasions related to service dogs at schools during classes and hours for comprehensive studies, during the past 8 years since the Law Concerning Assistance Dogs for the Disabled took effect. The questionnaires used for the research contain questions on the awareness of service dogs, experiences with service dogs, measures and ideas for increasing social awareness and acceptance of service dogs. In conclusion, from the results of the research, likely measures will be indicated for increasing social acceptance of service dogs. Service dogs' harmlessness, severe training, high selection, necessity of service dogs in society may well be emphasized on possible appealing opportunities and much more opportunities of meeting service dogs should be increased.
