Information for Patients

About accepting assistance dogs for physically disabled persons

Sticker showing the acceptance of assistance dogs (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)

Allowing assistance dogs to enter our hospital is in line with the Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons. This enables disabled persons to receive the medical care they need on an equal basis and lead a healthy life.

Our hospital asks for people's understanding and cooperation to ensure that disabled persons who are accompanied by assistance dogs can visit our hospital with peace of mind.

However, many patients with various symptoms, in particular those with weakened immunity or allergies, visit our hospital. As it is possible for such patients to be negatively affected by the presence of an assistance dog, we ask those accompanying an assistance dog to follow the rules stated below.

Assistance dogs that our hospital accepts (Three kinds of dogs in accordance with the Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons)

Guide dogs	Dogs wearing a harness
Service dogs	Dogs wearing a tag saying "Service dog"
Hearing assistance dog	Dogs wearing a tag saying "Hearing assistance dog"

(Note): 　We prohibit visitors from being accompanied by animals other than assistance dogs for physically disabled persons (such as pets and animal therapy dogs that are not permitted by our hospital).

To those using an assistance dog for a physically disabled person

Please note that we may check the following points as necessary when physically disabled persons accompanied by an assistance dog visit our hospital.

If the visitor has a Health Management Notebook for Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons
If the visitor's dog received a certification as an assistance dog for physically disabled persons
If the dog has been vaccinated

Hospital areas where assistance dogs for physically disabled persons are permitted to enter

Visitors can be accompanied by assistance dogs within the areas stated below.

Do not hesitate to ask our hospital staff near you when you have questions about the entry of assistance dogs into the no-dog zones indicated below, or other matters.

Areas where assistance dogs are permitted	Clinical departments for outpatients	Hallways, waiting areas for outpatients and consultation rooms
Areas where assistance dogs are permitted	Hospitalization wards	Wards (Day lounge at each ward when meeting an inpatient) (Note) 　In principle, assistance dogs are not allowed to accompany inpatients
Areas where assistance dogs are not permitted	Operation rooms/equipment rooms ICU NICU Dialysis rooms Chemotherapy rooms for outpatients Sterile rooms Laboratory test rooms Radiology departments (X-ray, CT and MRI rooms, etc.) Ward rooms

When you see an assistance dog for a physically disabled person inside the hospital (points to remember in dealing with assistance dogs)

Assistance dogs for physically disabled persons are not pets. Those dogs are properly managed to maintain health and are vaccinated, while their users properly control their behavior so as not annoy other patients. When persons accompanying an assistance dog wearing a harness or a tag, the dog is carrying out its duties. So please act calmly when you see such a dog inside the hospital.

Please refrain from preventing an assistance dog from carrying out its duty as a helper for a physically disabled person.

Do not speak to and gaze at such a dog, or touch it without permission from the user.
Do not feed or give water to the dog.

Please do not hesitate to tell our hospital staff if you are allergic to dogs or have any concerns or questions.