Regarding the training and certification of assistance dogs for persons with physical disabilities (assistance dogs), despite existing standards and guidelines, many issues have been reported. In order to realize the purpose of the law, which is to promote the independence and social participation of persons with disabilities who live with assistance dogs, it is essential to ensure the quality of services provided by training providers and designated corporations that certify them. This paper summarizes the current situation and issues of team training, certification, and follow-up of assistance dogs (candidate dogs) and assistance dog partners (applicants). In addition, it analyzes how the promotion of independence and social participation of a person with disabilities, which is the core of the Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons, is evaluated in team training, certification and follow-up. All of the issues that have been identified so far could limit the further independence and social participation of assistance dog partners, which is expected from partnering with assistance dogs. It has been suggested that evaluation of social participation in assessment and follow-up of assistance dog partners is insufficient, and the team training, certification, and follow-up are not conducted sufficiently from the perspective of how assistance dogs can promote independence and social participation of partners. In particular, it has been pointed out that the concept of social participation differs depending on the training provider and the designated corporation. In 2022, efforts were made to standardize the application documents for accreditation screening, but there has not been sufficient discussion on operational procedures concerning the processing of the application documents. In order to make the accreditation standards more transparent and to eliminate variations within and among designated corporations, it is essential to clarify both the operational procedures for the processing of application forms and the role of professionals involved in the screening.

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Objective: Many cases of refusal to accept assistance dogs are still reported, especially in eating establishments. Compared other industries, eating establishments are characterized by an overwhelmingly large number of non-regular employees, including college students. Therefore, we conducted a survey of these non-regular employees regarding their attitudes toward the acceptance of assistance dogs. Method: Questionnaires were given to college students who worked at restaurants, cafes, or pubs in October 2020. Results: 212 students answered the questionnaire, and 46.7% were aware of the Assistance Dog Law. Although very few had experienced serving the dogs and their users and had received training on how to deal with them, 79.7% of respondents indicated that they would accept assistance dogs in the future. Regardless of whether they accept assistance dogs or not, many cited concerns such as customer understanding and hygiene of assistance dogs. Discussion: Although many respondents answered that they would like to accept assistance dogs regardless of their awareness of the Assistance Dog Law, in order to eliminate cases of refusal to accept the dogs, it is important to educate non-regular employees to eliminate anxiety about accepting the dogs and to acquire knowledge about proper customer service for the dogs and the users.

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Objective: The awareness regarding service dogs among social welfare students was investigated and reported in 2016, yet, it has not been reinvestigated for two and a half years. Therefore, we conducted a resurvey on the awareness of social welfare students concerning service dogs in order to promote awareness regarding service dogs. Method: In October 2018, questionnaires were given to social welfare students in the same university investigated before. Results: Two hundred and sixty-nine students answered the questionnaire (the response ratio: 81.3%). The awareness of hearing dogs (48.7%, p<0.001), that of the law concerning service dogs for disabled (34.9%, p<0.01), and the experiences encountering service dogs (88.1%, p<0.01) were significantly increased from those in 2016, respectively. The first recognition of service dogs occurred for elementary school students (54.9%), junior high school students (26.1%), senior high school students (12.1%), and university students (6.4%), namely 81.0% during compulsory education. Discussion: Awareness regarding serviced dogs was improved over two and a half years. Therefore, enlightenment and educational activities regarding service dogs should be conducted continually. In addition, education regarding service dogs will be more practical when conducted during compulsory education. Conclusion: Awareness regarding service dogs among social welfare students has improved. The practice of education and enlightenment regarding service dogs may promote understanding among not only social welfare students but also the general population.

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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.

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[in Japanese]

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