This study aimed to investigate differences in daily travel behavior between totally blind individuals who are guide dog users and those who are non-users. Interviews were conducted with six guide dog training organizations and four guide dog users, and questionnaire responses were collected from 90 guide dog users and 132 non-users. The analysis indicated that fewer medical visits, suggesting a potential relationship between guide dog use and better health conditions. In terms of transportation modes, guide dog users appeared less dependent on automobile rides provided by others, implying having more independent transportation. Awareness of traffic barriers was generally lower among guide dog users, which may reflect smoother mobility facilitated by guide dog guidance. Self-evaluations comparing the use of a guide dog with previous experiences using a white cane revealed improvements such as increased walking speed and more frequent outings. However, guide dog users reported a higher incidence of taxi ride refusals, highlighting the need for social improvements.

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Background: In recent years, interest in animal-assisted therapy and activities has increased in medical institutions. However, unlike assistance dogs, the status of therapy dogs in medical institutions is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we will report on the acceptance status of therapy dogs in medical institutions in Japan. Method: In October 2019, a questionnaire survey regarding therapy dogs was conducted by mail, targeting nursing managers at a total of 258 facilities across Japan, including national hospitals (116 facilities), university hospitals (124 facilities), and children’s hospitals (18 facilities). Results: Responses were received from 101 facilities (response rate 39.1%). Forty facilities (40.4%) had experience with assistance dog users, and 9 facilities (9.1%) had experience with therapy dogs. There was no correlation between the experience with accepting assistance dogs and that with accepting therapy dogs. In contrast, 13 facilities (13.1%) had experience implementing animal-assisted therapy and activities using therapy dogs or other therapy animals. 83.8% of respondents said that animal-assisted therapy/activities were useful, while 42.4% said that they should be implemented in the hospital. The recognition rate in medical institutions was 99.0% for guide dogs, 83.8% for assistance dogs, 58.6% for hearing dogs, and 93.9% for therapy dogs. Discussion: Animal-assisted therapy/activities using therapy dogs were expected to be effective not only mentally but also physically for patients. However, half of the medical institutions experienced various challenges when implementing animal-assisted therapy/activities. Conclusion: Therapy dogs were generally accepted in medical institutions, and their effectiveness was expected. It is necessary to raise awareness in medical institutions so that animal-assisted therapy/activities using therapy dogs will become more widespread.

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Although moderate exercise is recommended to maintain health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases, the physical activity levels of people with disabilities are lower than those of healthy people, especially among the visually impaired. Guide dogs are trained to support safe walking and may contribute to promoting physical activity among people with visual impairments by alleviating the challenges they face when going out, such as enhancing independence and reducing anxiety. This study investigated the effects of guide dog use on the physical activity levels, particularly walking time, of people with visual impairments in Japan. A questionnaire was administered to guide dog users, people with visual impairments having/not having a pet dog, and people without visual impairment having a pet dog. The results showed that guide dog users walked significantly longer than people with visual impairments who did not have a pet dog, and they were 2.56 times more likely to meet the recommended walking time. We found no significant differences in walking time between guide dog users and non-visually impaired people who have a pet dog, suggesting that guide dogs may have a walking-promoting effect that compensates for the difficulty of walking that can come with disability and old age. Further investigation is required to clarify the causal relationship between living with guide dog use and increased walking time.

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[in Japanese]

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