News -assisted dog provides valuable "learning opportunities" to elementary school students

Associated dog PR dog navigation that "business trip" in elementary school

The Japan Service Dog Association is engaged in rehabilitation not only for training dogs but also for physical disabilities, and is working on independence of people with disabilities.In order for the assistant dog user (hereinafter referred to as the user) to participate in society, it is necessary to have a social understanding of the caregiver and the disabled.The association, which sees related images, has opportunities to interact with reserved dogs at various events, such as tours at the “Service Dog General Training Center” (Aichi Prefecture) and the “Service Dog Festa”.Lectures at elementary school are also part of such activities.This time, we interviewed a business trip class held in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the headquarters of the association is located.◆ On this day, a new PR dog, "Navi", went to school as a "PR dog" where Golden Retriever "Navi" demonstrated.Although navigation is perfectly working as a assisting dog, it seems that there is a little bit weak.For this reason, it was determined that PR dogs who interacted with people at various events, taking advantage of their social personalities, are more suitable than participating in society with users as assistive dogs.On this day, he was a relaxing demonstration that he couldn't seem to be a new rice yet.In addition, during the other time, he shook his tail and always showed him to stroke.It's a expectation rookie.◆ Elementary school students also participate in the demonstration demonstration, saying that they take off their shoes and socks, pick up the drops, take drinks from the refrigerator, and search for mobile phones.The work was introduced.Applause was applauded from the fourth grade of elementary school to put the socks taken off in a dressing basket, and after taking a drink, closing the refrigerator door.The five representatives of each class also had the experience of sitting in a wheelchair and picking up the key dropped."I'm relieved (this)," he said with a smile.◆ The association explained not only the assistive dogs, but also guide dogs and hearing dogs, aiming for a society that is kind to everyone.It was impressive that students who participated in easy -to -understand lectures were very aggressive, using DVDs and woven quizzes.The story was not limited to dogs, but also the importance of calling out to people with disabilities."I hope to be a society that is kind to everyone. Please start by calling out if your friends are in trouble."The attitude of the Japan Service Dog Association, "Aiming for a society that is easy for humans and animals to animals," appeared in such a place.◆ A misunderstood student saying that the caregal dog is a short -lived life asked, "I heard that the caregiver dies early, is it true?"It seems that some of them are short -lived due to stress, but there is no such data.The association explained that a dog with a personality that did not feel stressed even if he lived as an assistant dog, and that his work was living like a play.It was reported that it was not short -lived, and the students seemed to be convinced.In the case of aged dogs and guide dogs, breeding is performed after confirming that there is no genetic disease in many generations.After retirement, he has a regular health checkup after retirement.It was carefully explained that it was the same life as a general pet because he retired while he was 10 years old and was greeted by a loving family.◆ Valuable “learning opportunity” In this elementary school, it is said that fourth graders give a lecture every year as part of learning about “gentle towns”."I often read books and learn, but actually experiencing the impression is strong in the children's hearts," says the principal.By meeting the caregiver and actually touching each other, the people with disabilities have said that they are "thinking about what they can do."It will continue to continue as a valuable "learning opportunity".The Japan Service Dog Association also says, "The elementary school lecture is a very fun time to feel the sparkling eyes of the children when you enter the site."In addition, many questions from elementary school students say that it is a target, which seems to be a trigger to effectively deepen the understanding of caregivers and disabled people.The opinions of experts about the life of guide dogs and assisted dogs Saitama Veterinary Master Association have given a formal comment that denies the theory that the auxiliary dog is short -lived."Many people think that guide dogs and assisted dogs have a short life span of □ work stress, but it is one of the major misunderstandings. Only dogs that do not feel stress as stress are selected.Because of the stress, the life does not shrink. (Omitted) The life is the same as a general pet. "(From the medical association website).Also, in papers (2007) by the University of Japan Veterinary Life Science (2007), "guide dogs are overworked and have a short life, but this story has no scientific basis. (Omitted) Family.It was revealed that it was higher than the survey on the average life expectancy of dogs. "There is also a survey result that it is longer than a pet.Of course, not all applicable dog training organizations and users provide dogs to dogs.Although rare, there have been cases where abuse of auxiliary dogs is suspected.At least in the groups of dogs that have been interviewed so far, dogs were treated very carefully.Not only animal welfare, but all things may have exceptions.In the future, we will continue to cover the welfare of not only guide dogs and assisted dogs, but also the welfare of use animals from various angles.* Picking up the fallen object, bringing the instructions, securing an emergency contact method (such as receiving a phone call), opening and closing the door, assisting clothes, traction of wheelchairs, standing / walking assistance, switch operation

REANIMAL Toru Ishikawa