Facility dogs comfort hospitalized children in Japan

With high costs posing a challenge, some hospitals are turning to crowdfunding to introduce facility dogs, widely used in the United States and other countries, with retrievers being the preferred breed due to their gentle nature.

Unlike therapy dogs, which visit hospitals and interact with patients on a limited basis, facility dogs are assigned to hospitals and work with handlers who have completed specialist training.

The dogs accompany children undergoing surgery and assist with rehabilitation through play.

According to Shine On! Kids, a certified nonprofit organization in Tokyo's Chuo Ward, a facility dog was first introduced in Japan in 2010 by Shizuoka Children's Hospital.

As of December 2025, four facility dogs were active at four hospitals.

The number of inquiries received by the NPO that dispatches facility dogs has increased eightfold over the past decade.

Adoption has been slow, however, due to high costs. Initial expenses total about 16 million yen per facility dog, including training and other costs for handlers and animals, followed by annual costs of around 10 million yen.

Although the NPO covered the initial costs for the four hospitals, they still need to cover additional expenses, including facility renovation costs.

Against this background, hospitals are using crowdfunding as they seek to introduce facility dogs.

In September last year, Osaka City General Hospital began soliciting donations, aiming to introduce a facility dog in April 2027 and raise 62 million yen to cover five years of essential costs.

"I hope a facility dog will help patients cope with treatment in a positive way," said Hiroyuki Sennyu, 51, head of the general affairs department of the hospital in the western city of Osaka.

Similarly, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital plans to introduce a facility dog as early as fiscal 2027 to comfort children with cancer. Crowdfunding conducted from May to July last year raised more than 45 million yen, equivalent to two years of essential costs.

"We are holding training sessions on site as it is necessary to prevent dogs from transmitting infectious diseases," said Noriko Sekiguchi, 57, a doctor at the hospital in the western city of Kobe.

"I hope children will be able to relax with dogs nearby."

In response to growing interest, the NPO is preparing to strengthen its training system.

"I can see signs of hope that the presence of facility dogs in children's medical facilities will become commonplace," said Yoko Kin, a public relations official of the NPO.