Session #2-2 What pet owners gain and what they aspire to.

Continuing from the previous session, we welcomed guest Ms. Fumie Ootawa, an internist and well-known dog lover. Think Pet Project members and pet owners themselves, Mr. Kotaro Osaki and Mr. Michio Endo, listened to her insights on the potential for a society where humans and pets coexist.

The Impact of Animals on Elderly Health

Osaki: Ms. Otowa, you participate in guide dog fundraising activities, right?

Ootawa: Yes, I do it regularly. I occasionally visit facilities to observe training sessions or play with retired guide dogs. Also, I plan to start CAPP (Companion Animal Partnership Program) activities soon. This is volunteer work where you bring your own pet to senior care facilities for interaction.

Endo: There's also the view that interacting with animals can help prevent dementia, right?

 

Ootawa: One of my patients is an elderly woman with diabetes. Her blood sugar levels suddenly improved dramatically for two consecutive months. I wondered why, since she hadn't changed her medication or diet. When I asked, she happily told me, "Ever since I got my Chihuahua two months ago, I've been running around after it every day—it's exhausting!" Since I love dogs too, I shared her joy. Then, at her next appointment, she actually brought her Chihuahua along (laughs). Older people's lives tend to be less active and monotonous, so even a small dog like a Chihuahua provides stimulation just by caring for it and talking to it every day.

Endo: It's commonly said that dog ownership extends lifespan because of the walks, but it might have a positive impact on overall health, including mental well-being. I only realized this myself after getting a dog – just walking together is incredibly enjoyable and makes me feel happy. My child also lights up and gets all excited whenever a dog approaches, and seeing that is truly heartwarming.

Ootawa: I believe animals are incredibly important not just for the elderly, but for children too. Many families today have only one child, and kids tend to become more indoor-oriented. But truly, there are so many things you can only learn by interacting with other living beings. For example, when you have a pet, you naturally learn what's unpleasant for others through experiences like stepping on them and hearing them yelp, causing them to avoid you for a while, or pulling on them and seeing them get angry with a different expression than usual. I think it's through these small mistakes that you start to understand human pain and develop social skills.

A sterile environment won't raise a healthy body

 

Osaki: This might be similar to the idea of small mistakes, but I hear many people these days try to maintain an overly "sterile environment." They try to prevent children from touching dirt or mud as much as possible, or disinfect all their clothes with alcohol. I think this trend contributes significantly to the idea that "animals = dirty things." For example, while walking my dog, a nearby child tried to touch it out of curiosity, and the child's mother said, "Don't touch it! It's dirty!"...

Ootawa: Exactly. This overreaction to germs is a genuine medical concern. Humans develop normal immunity by being exposed to various bacteria and viruses from childhood and learning to fight them off. A sterile environment won't foster a healthy, resilient body. The desire to protect children is certainly not wrong, but it would be ideal to create an environment where you can laugh and say, "Wow, you got really dirty! Let's wash your hands when we get home," and praising them with "Good job!" when they pet a dog or cat.

 

Endo: As a parent myself, I completely understand how easily we become overly sensitive. Still, we must be careful not to stifle a child's budding curiosity out of fear of failure.

Ōtawa: Of course, it's also true that a certain number of people dislike animals regardless of germs. It's important to understand why they developed that aversion. Some stepped in poop on the street, others were barked at or bitten. To alleviate that anxiety, I think we need to improve each owner's training awareness.

Osaki: That's right. As Ootawa-san mentioned last time, there are many ventures with potential for industry growth, including the expansion of facilities that teach owners about training. I'd definitely like to explore that potential through the Design with Pet Project.