Overcoming illness with a strong friend. Kanagawa prefecture's first therapy dog "arrives for work" at a children's health care center/Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1207070005/

July 7th, 2012

The arrival of Bailey, a golden retriever therapy dog.

Easing the worries of patients with his support, a therapy dog arrived for work at the Municipal Children's Health Care Center of Mutsukawa, Minami Ward, Yokohama City, on the 6th. This is the second time in the whole country that a therapy dog has been stationed at a children's hospital and the first time within Kanagawa prefecture. Children being admitted to the hospital with serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease can now expect a "strong friend" in the dog.

The newly arrived therapy dog is named Bailey (Male, Age 4), a golden retriever born in Australia. Requests for the dog were sent by the families of childhood cancer patients staying at the center. The requests went out to the Tyler Foundation, a non-profit organization providing therapy dogs free of charge.

According to the children's center, from the age of 6 to 12 months, Bailey received specialized training at a facility in Hawaii. From January 2010, Bailey spent 2&1/2 years working at the Shizuoka Municipal Children's Hospital (Shizuoka City) as Japan's first therapy dog. Along with his partner Yuko Morita (age 30), through animal assistance therapy they aid in training patients to walk, recovery and providing care for their emotions.

On that day, an arrival ceremony was held for Bailey. Forty hospitalized children, parental guardians and center staff participated. Upon receiving a letter of appointment (Titled: Dispatched and stationed as an employee) from Children's Center President Seiyou Yasui, Bailey immediately made the rounds through the ward. Children called out "Cute," "He's warm," etc. as they eagerly pet his head and back, no longer showing a care in the world. "He has a friendly and gentle personality," said Morita. As they toured the room, smiles were seen widening.

In regards to the healing effects that can be expected: In present western medicine, it's said that therapy dogs have been shown to be highly effective in healing and their rate of use is in a continual progression. As the children have their stress and unease alleviated during the fight for their lives, the center looks forward to receiving positive results. "Japan is still just beginning to look into therapy dogs. Our work will serve as the foundation for their widespread use," said Morita.

Original text:

病克服へ強い味方、こども医療センターに県内初セラピー犬“着任”/神奈川

2012年7月7日

着任したセラピードッグのゴールデンレトリバー「ベイリー」

患者の不安を和らげ、治療をサポートするセラピードッグが６日、横浜市南区六ツ川の県立こども医療センターに“着任”した。こども病院に常駐するのは全国２例目で、県内では初めて。がんや心臓病など重い病気で入院している子どもたちの「強い味方」として期待されている。

着任したセラピードッグは、オーストラリア生まれのゴールデンレトリバー「ベイリー」（雄、４歳）。同センターが小児がんの子どもとその家族をサポートするＮＰＯ法人「タイラー基金」に派遣を要請し、無償提供された。

同センターによると、ベイリーは生後６カ月から１年半、米国ハワイの訓練施設で専門的なトレーニングを受け、２０１０年１月から２年半にわたって静岡県立こども病院（静岡市）に勤務した国内初のセラピードッグ。パートナーの森田優子さん（30）とともに、患者の心をケアしたり、治療や歩行訓練に付き添ったりする「動物介在療法」に取り組むという。

この日の着任式には入院している子どもたちや保護者、同センターの職員ら約40人が参加した。康井制洋総長から「派遣常駐職員」の辞令が交付されたベイリーは早速、病棟内を巡回。子どもたちに「かわいい」「あったかい」などと頭や背中を無遠慮になでられてもどこ吹く風。「人懐っこく、おっとりした性格」（森田さん）のベイリーの周りに笑顔が広がった。

　

 欧米の医療現場では、癒やし効果などに期待し、セラピードッグによる治療効果を高める取り組みが進められているという。同センターも闘病生活を続ける子どもたちのストレスや不安を解消し、治療に前向きに取り組んでもらえる効果に期待する。森田さんは「日本での取り組みはまだ始まったばかり。わたしたちが普及の礎をつくれたら」と話していた。