In 2008, it has been reported that the syndrome of exercise-induced collapse in Labrador retrievers, the most common breed for service dog, was associated with a mutation in the dynamin 1 gene. To facilitate the service dog in a society, control of public health including zoonosis and management of genetic diseases which associated with potential as service dogs might be essential elements. In this study, genotypic frequency of dynamin 1 mutation was examined in service dog colonies in Japan. When DNA derived from 162 Labrador retrievers in breeding colonies of service dog were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism for dynamin 1 gene mutation, percentages of wild type, heterozygous mutant and homozygous mutant were 66%, 30% and 4%, respectively. As intense exercises are not requested during their training and/or working in service dogs, homozygous mutation of dynamin 1 may not affect their potential as a service dog. When service dogs are made alterations in their role as career changed dogs, however, the genotype of dynamin 1 may influence their activities. Thus, knowing the degree of density and distribution of the gene mutations in breeding colony is expected to contribute to facilitate service dogs to a society. These results might contribute to make a plan for effective breeding in service dog colony.

Objective: For the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, many physically-challenged people, including service dog users, will come to Japan. Most of them will take international flights for the visit; however, the handling of service dogs by international airlines is not well known. Therefore, the current circumstances of the handling were surveyed to reveal the possible issues. Method: Information was gathered on the handling of service dogs by the international airlines operating regularly scheduled flights to Japan between May and July 2015 by referring to the websites of the airline companies. A telephone inquiry was also used when the investigated items were not available on the websites. Results: The necessary information was able to be collected from 76 of the 81 international airlines (93.8%). Fifty-three airlines (69.7%) had the information of service dogs on the websites, however only eight airlines (10.5%) had all the investigated items on the websites. Fifty-nine airlines (77.6%) accommodated service dogs in the cabin. Among the three kinds of service dogs, guide dogs were accommodated by 56 airlines (73.7%), while hearing dogs were by 49 (64.5%) and mobility service dogs were by 38 (50.0%). Furthermore, 15 of the 59 airlines (25.4%) requested the muzzle on board and seven of the 15 accommodated the service dogs in the cabin. Discussion: This study revealed that three-quarters of the international airlines accommodate service dogs in the cabin, and that mobility service dogs are significantly less accommodated than guide dogs. In addition, it was not easy to collect all the necessary information about service dogs in a short period of time, because of the diversities of websites. Conclusion: The enlightenment activities about service dogs for airlines should be conducted to improve the service for the service dog users, including more accessible information.