The ideal accommodations for veterinary hospital to satisfy the guide dog users' needs.

Abstract

The role of veterinary hospitals does not only provide medical and health care of the guide dog. Veterinary hospitals must collaborate with the training school to maintain quality with health aspects of the guide dog. However, the number of guide dogs is about 1,000 in whole of Japan, and there are many veterinary hospitals where guide dogs have never visit. In order that guide dogs will become increasing popular in the future, it will be necessary that all veterinary hospitals are more easily accessible for guide dog users. In this investigation, we conducted a non-structured interview about medical consultation of guide dogs for ten guide dog users and five veterinary hospitals which have already accepted guide dogs. As a result, veterinary hospitals that guide dog users felt access easily did not need special tools and services. And it was thought that guide dog user friendly veterinary hospitals were access-friendly for all owners of animals.