Aiming for 'All Nagakute City Elementary School Students Know About Assistance Dogs!', the Japan Assistance Dog Association Strengthens Collaboration with Nagakute City Board of Education

The Japan Assistance Dog Association (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Training Center: Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture; Director: Tomoko Takayanagi; https://s-dog.jp/) and the Nagakute City Board of Education held a ceremony on March 9, 2026, to exchange a confirmation of collaboration details based on their "Agreement on Collaboration." This initiative aims to expand the "circle of kindness" to citizens through welfare education, with the goal of 'All Nagakute City Elementary School Students Know About Assistance Dogs!'

■ Background of Strengthened Collaboration

The Japan Assistance Dog Association and Nagakute City first signed an "Agreement on Collaboration" in July 2012 and have since jointly promoted the dissemination of information about assistance dogs and welfare education. Through the exchange of this confirmation of collaboration details, they have reaffirmed their commitment to further develop their past initiatives and provide broader and more continuous opportunities for welfare education in elementary and junior high schools within Nagakute City.

■ Future Collaboration Details

Based on the confirmation of collaboration details, the Japan Assistance Dog Association will implement the following activities:

• Conduct lectures on assistance dogs at all six elementary schools in the city and accept facility tours at the Assistance Dog Comprehensive Training Center 'Cynthia's Hill.'

• Accept workplace experience requests from all three junior high schools in the city.

Through these initiatives, the aim is to deepen children's understanding of assistance dogs and disabilities, and to spread the "circle of kindness" throughout the community.

■ Comment from Tomoko Takayanagi, Director of the Japan Assistance Dog Association

We have been focusing on awareness education through assistance dogs to learn about a society where people with disabilities can live more easily. By visiting all elementary schools in Nagakute City, we hope to connect this to a future society where no adult is unaware of assistance dogs.

■ Comment from Takaaki Osawa, Superintendent of the Nagakute City Board of Education

After the COVID-19 pandemic, there were disparities in the opportunities for learning about assistance dogs at each elementary school. We want to ensure that all elementary school students in Nagakute can learn equally. Through assistance dogs, we want to spread kindness starting from the elementary school students of Nagakute.

■ What are Assistance Dogs?

Assistance dogs are specially trained dogs that cater to the individual needs of people with physical disabilities. They provide support in daily life, such as picking up dropped items or finding and bringing a mobile phone. There are only 56 pairs nationwide (as of October 2025), while an estimated 15,000 people with physical disabilities could live richer lives with the help of an assistance dog. Assistance dogs are provided free of charge, but approximately 90% of their training costs are covered by donations and fundraising from corporations and individuals.

■ Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Social Welfare Corporation Japan Assistance Dog Association

https://s-dog.jp/ 

TEL: 0561-64-1277 (Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

 Email: info@s-dog.jp