Cultural influences on the acceptability of assistance dogs in Japan and the U.K.
Cultural influences on the acceptability of assistance dogs in Japan and the U.K.
The aim of this thesis is to elucidate possible factors which influence the acceptability of assistance dogs, and make comparisons between Japan and the UK. Two main questions were asked. Firstly, what are the differences in attitudes towards and relationships with animals between Japan and the UK? Secondly, what are the differences in the current state of the assistance dog movement between the two countries?
In the first study, the relationship between childhood experiences and attitudes towards animals in adulthood was investigated.
The second study examined attitudes towards dogs in general.
The third study, which investigated knowledge of and attitudes towards assistance dogs suggested that assistance dogs, except guide dogs for the blind, are still not widely used in either country.
In the fourth study, guide dog owners were interviewed about their experiences of using a guide dog. Both Japanese and British guide dog owners shared similar problems associated with other people, in terms of prejudice towards people with disabilities and denial of access to facilities such as restaurants. They were also commonly annoyed by people's interference in the dogs' work. The worst issue for British owners seemed to be people who were selfish and inconsiderate to them and their dogs. For Japanese owners, people who criticised them when they disciplined their dogs seemed to be the worst problem.
In the final study, interactions between guide dog owners and the general public were observed unobtrusively. The dog attracted people's attention and sometimes promoted social interactions between its owner and strangers both in Japan and the UK. The dogs themselves received more interactions from people in Japan than in the UK.
University of Southampton
Miura, Ayaka
b2c949b9-86a4-4c38-bdba-99bf496797a7
2000
Miura, Ayaka
b2c949b9-86a4-4c38-bdba-99bf496797a7
Miura, Ayaka
(2000)
Cultural influences on the acceptability of assistance dogs in Japan and the U.K.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to elucidate possible factors which influence the acceptability of assistance dogs, and make comparisons between Japan and the UK. Two main questions were asked. Firstly, what are the differences in attitudes towards and relationships with animals between Japan and the UK? Secondly, what are the differences in the current state of the assistance dog movement between the two countries?
In the first study, the relationship between childhood experiences and attitudes towards animals in adulthood was investigated.
The second study examined attitudes towards dogs in general.
The third study, which investigated knowledge of and attitudes towards assistance dogs suggested that assistance dogs, except guide dogs for the blind, are still not widely used in either country.
In the fourth study, guide dog owners were interviewed about their experiences of using a guide dog. Both Japanese and British guide dog owners shared similar problems associated with other people, in terms of prejudice towards people with disabilities and denial of access to facilities such as restaurants. They were also commonly annoyed by people's interference in the dogs' work. The worst issue for British owners seemed to be people who were selfish and inconsiderate to them and their dogs. For Japanese owners, people who criticised them when they disciplined their dogs seemed to be the worst problem.
In the final study, interactions between guide dog owners and the general public were observed unobtrusively. The dog attracted people's attention and sometimes promoted social interactions between its owner and strangers both in Japan and the UK. The dogs themselves received more interactions from people in Japan than in the UK.
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Published date: 2000
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Local EPrints ID: 464112
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/464112
PURE UUID: 67ec7db1-bbd3-4904-9540-1ffa191d9ed7
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 21:18
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 19:13
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Author:
Ayaka Miura
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