●Organizers: Kobe City, NPO Knots

●Co-organizer:

 Kobe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(Festival)
●Special Sponsor:
（The name 'Friskies K.K.' was changed in September 2002）
●Subsidizing　Organization: Tsutomu Nakauchi Foundation, Portopia '81 Memorial Fund
●Dates:

Part1：Thursday 19th September 2002, 13:00-17：00
Part2：Friday 18th October 2002, 13：00-17：00
Festival：Saturday 19th October 2002, 13：00-16：00
●Venue: International Symposium: Portopia Hotel
Festival: The gymnasium in Motoyama Daini (No.2) Elementary School
●Participating & Cooperating Organizations： Veterinary Association of Kobe City, Hyogo Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Committee for the Promotion of Assistant Dogs Development, Support Dogs Association, Japan Riding Association for the Disabled, Akashi Riding Association, JFA Japan Frisbee Dogs Association Hyogo Branch
●Supporting Organizations: Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture Board of Education, Kobe City Board of Education, Kobe City PTA Federation, Kobe Medical Association, Japan Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Association of Hyogo Prefecture, Veterinary Association of Kobe City, Japan Animal Welfare Society Hanshin Branch, Embassy of Sweden, Consulate General of the United States of America Osaka-Kobe Kansai American Center


 




 
 

Recognition of the significance of animals co-living with children is spreading. However there are also growing concerns about the allergies and other ‘animal originating’ infections and their effect on children’s health. Despite the high concern and interest, this is a field that specialists have not yet had much opportunity to explain to the public or provide them with adequate information. As a consequence, the public harbors a vague sense of worry and will sometimes overreact when a problem is reported. Therefore, the core of this symposium would feature highly interesting reports about allergy issues. This will be supported by specialist knowledge and information will be provided through an exchange of opinions. This was provided at a level easy for the general public to understand and positioned as a public health issue.
 

 

 

●Time & Date:

Thursday 19th September 2002, 13:00-17:00

●Venue:

Portopia Hotel, (link to their website, in English)
'Grand Banquet Room KAIRAKU' (Main Building)
10-1,6 Chome, Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
●Speakers:

Core Topic (approx. 1 hour):

"Animal exposure during early life and later allergy development"
Dr. Bill HESSELMAR M.D., Ph.D.　
Consultant Pediatrician at the Allergy Unit,
The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg Sweden

Also see, a research report from Sweden on human allergies:
"Does Early Exposure to a Cat or Dog Protect Against Later Allergy Development?"　
(click to read report in full)

"Zoonosis Control in Japan"
Dr. NAKAJIMA Kensuke D.V.M., M.S.
Deputy Director,
Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases Control Division
Health Service Bureau,
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan


Panel Discussion
Chairperson:
Prof. UEMURA Takashi
Veterinary, Public Health,Graduate School of Agriculture and Biological Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan

Panelists:
Dr. Bill HESSELMAR M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. NAKAJIMA Kensuke D.V.M., M.S.

Prof.FUJITA Koichiro M.D.,D.M.S.
Division of Public Health, International Health Promotion, Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan

Dr. YAMAOKA Koji
Kobe City General Hospital,
Pediatrics Dept, Japan

　Professor Takashi UEMURA of Osaka Prefecture University chaired the ‘Live Love Animals International Symposium ? Part 1’, and the keynote speech was made by Dr. B. HESSELMAR, M.D., Ph.D. of The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.



Dr. Hesselmar spoke about research reports into the relationship between allergies (and asthma) in Swedish children and their keeping of animals during early childhood, a comparison that also considered the number of siblings. Results, Dr. Hesselmar revealed, show that living with animals (furred animals, mainly dogs and cats) does not increase the risk of developing allergies and asthmas and, on the contrary, seems to aid developing tolerance.

Dr. Kensuke NAKAJIMA of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provided the second keynote speech. Dr. Nakajima talked about the current situation of new infectious diseases and zoonosis, and the Japanese Government’s countermeasures. He stressed that many of these diseases are preventable, and greater safety in animal keeping is attainable, if there is greater knowledge about the diseases and if owners assume greater responsibility for keeping their animals in a healthy condition. Dr. Nakajima also warned of the dangers of keeping wild or imported animals without first knowing if they carry a contagious disease or not.
　
Following the speeches, one of the panelists, Professor Koichiro FUJITA of Tokyo Medical and Dental University explained about zoonosis in general and how to prevent infections. Professor Fujita said that the most important factor is for people themselves to be healthy and to always wash and disinfect their hands appropriately after coming into contact with animals. Furthermore, with better awareness of zoonosis, people need to give more consideration to the well-being of animals.

　

Another panelist, Dr. Koji YAMAOKA of Kobe City General Hospital commented from a pediatrician’s perspective. He gave an example of one patient, a 10 year-old boy, whose asthma allergy was probably induced by his living with cats. He said that, even if the patient’s allergy is induced by his / her animal, if living with animals is an important quality of life factor, then that lifestyle should be respected and maintained as far as possible. Any treatment regimen should be started from that basis. Whatever the case, Dr. Yamaoka said that it is important to maintain an animal in good health, and establish the appropriate condition for both animal and owner.

　
　
Following the speeches and comments, Professor Uemura assumed the role of MC and led a panel discussion together with a question and answer time. The audience had listened attentively to all the speeches and comments and several questions were asked. In conclusion, Professor Uemura summarized that, in order to ensure adequate safety in living with an animal, there are two stages or two kinds of disease prevention. The main form of prevention is to have and maintain a good environment for both animals and people including proper animal handling. This should be based on correct information about animal caused diseases. The second form of prevention is that, even if already infected by an animal, it is still very important to have correct knowledge about such infections and handle the animal appropriately, including the possible need to keep the animal and individual separated. The general consensus among the panel was that, recent social obsessions with cleanliness and hygiene have possibly weakened people’s immunity and resistance to allergies. It is therefore essential that people live with their animals appropriately and be correctly informed about zoonosis. This is necessary for the welfare of both animals and children.
　
　
　
　 　


　 　
The importance of children having a healthy value for life, and various child psychological issues are topics that have become increasingly prominent recently. Parallel to this, there has been a growing interest for the influence that animals have on children. Especially overseas, various psychology-related research has been conducted while in Japan the need for more serious research and accurate information appears to be increasing. People are seeking to know the most ideal and appropriate ways to live together with animals. This symposium was therefore designed to be a stage from which to report the most advanced discoveries and case studies. In so doing, it aims to provide answers to questions that people are interested to know about.
 
 
 
●Time & Date: Friday 18th October 2002, 13:00-17:00
●Venue: Portopia Hotel (link to their website, in English)
'Grand Banquet Room OHWADA'　(South Wing)
10-1, 6 Chome, Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
●Speakers:

Core Topic (approx. 1 hour):

"Children, Animals and Humane Education"
Ms. Julie BANK
Director,
Public Programs and Development
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control,
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

"Children, Animals, and Empathy:
Sharing Emotions - Antidote for Aggression and Violence? "
Prof. Frank R. ASCIONE, Ph.D.
Professor at Department of Psychology,
Utah State University, USA
　　　
Panel Discussion
Chairperson:
Ms. YAMAZAKI Keiko , Pet Researcher, Japan

Panelists:
Ms. Julie BANK

Prof. Frank R. ASCIONE, Ph.D.

Mr. MIYAKAWA Yaki
School Inspector,
Elementary & Secondary Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science, Japan

Prof. IIKURA Yoji, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chief, Department
Of Pediatrics,
Showa University School Of Medicine, Japan

Introduced by Pet Researcher, Ms. Keiko YAMAZAKI, the keynote speech was given by Ms. Julie BANK, Director of Public Programs and Development, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, Phoenix, Arizona.
　
Ms. Bank talked about the importance of people receiving ‘Humane Education’, with practical programs that go beyond words alone, She explained about the effectiveness of practical animal programs. Ms. Bank also pointed out that ‘Humane Education’ is key to the fundamental treatment of several social issues and problems, as well as being essential to a child’s education. Therefore, she said, it is very important to use animal-people programs, either for use within families or within society.

The second keynote speaker was Professor Frank R. ASCIONE Ph.D. of Utah State University. Professor Ascione provided real case studies from America about children that have committed crimes. He reported that children with a history of abusing animals grow up with a 3~4 times greater tendency to commit a crime later in life than children with no such history. There is therefore a strong relationship between animal abuse and violence towards other people. Recently the problems of DV (domestic violence) and child abuse have become more apparent in Japanese society. Professor Ascione also reported that as many as 54% of the women in DV cases were assaulted by a partner with a record of abusing animals. He believes that the relationship between animals and children is almost certainly an important factor in determining the healthy development of sociability in children, and stressed the importance of Humane Education for children.

After the break, one of the panelists, Mr. Yaki MIYAKAWA, from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science, told the heart-warming story of his memories of a childhood filled with animals. He then introduced the new direction within the school curriculum for nurturing humanity and sociability in children, and how necessary it is to provide children with opportunities to consider the importance of Life through caring for school animals and holding classes in Humane Education. Likewise he referred to the importance of the school, the home and the community to tie up in educating children to be kind to animals and other people.

Another panelist was Professor Yoji IIKURA M.D. Ph. D. of Showa University School of Medicine who talked about his Dolphin Therapy. Professor Iikura has used dolphins in treating children with atopy (sea water treatment is good for the condition). When such children go into the sea and come into contact with salt water they suffer some initial discomfort and pain, but the presence of dolphins seems to have a positive psychological influence to ease the pain. He said that a questionnaire survey conducted after each child’s treatment had confirmed this effect. He also reported that this dolphin-based therapy had also seen positive changes in autistic children, and that future research and possibilities in this field are being considered. Following this the chairperson, Ms. Yamasaki, added to this issue by pointing out that the current situation of animal assisted therapy has, raised some concerns about the correctness of using wild animals.


After the speeches and comments, the chairperson, Ms. Yamasaki acted as a MC and conducted a panel discussion followed by a question and answers time. An attentive audience had been listening to all the speeches and comments so several questions were asked.

The beneficial effects of education on the treatment of animals by children has been confirmed by the various types of research and experimentation performed by the panelists but, in conclusion, Ms. Yamasaki pointed out that it is extremely important to consider the environment and the way animals are handled if they are used in schools, animal assisted therapies, or recreational activities, because these issues too have an influence on the children experiencing them.

These two Symposia re-confirmed that having an environment where children can share some time with animals is both physically and psychologically positive and comfortable for children, and how important it is for adults to provide children with, and maintain, such an environment.
 
　 　






　





Following the theme of the international symposium, this ‘Festival for Children and Dogs in Higashinada-ku’ will be held at an elementary school within the Higashinada ward. Visitors and children to the event will witness tips and advice for handling and caring for animals. There will be demonstrations by assistant dogs to help people learn more about dogs, a discipline class for dog owners to foster a greater sense of responsibility, agility exercises and dog-run demonstrations. Where possible we have asked the Symposium’s experts and specialists to come and see the festival and invite their opinions and advice on children’s education.
　 　
　 　
　 　
●Time & Date: Saturday 19th October 2002, 13:00-16:00
●Venue: The gymnasium in Motoyama Daini (No.2) Elementary School
   
　
Despite the rainy weather on the festival day and the subsequent necessity to hold the event in the school gymnasium many children and visitors from the Higashinada-ku area, and many from outside, visited the Festival.

This was the first time such an event had been held at an elementary school in Kobe City and, as official representative, the Higashinada Ward Governor Mr. Takahashi gave a speech as did Mr. Yada, President of the Kobe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After the speeches the program began.

　　　　　　
　
　
　
Two keynote speakers from the International Symposium Part 2 (held the previous day, on the influence of animals on children from the psychological perspective), Ms. Julie Bank and Professor Ascione gave talks. Then, there were demonstrations of assistant and guide dogs as well as discipline classes and discipline demonstrations. The audience, consisting of many children, was clearly enthralled.
　
　
　
　 　 　
　 　 　
　 　 　
　 　 　
 
Each of the participating organizations set up booths to introduce their activities and work. Visitors were able to enjoy informative conversations and try out games and quizzes. At the Consultation Desk, Ms. Bank and Prof. Ascione were present to share their knowledge on the psychological issues related to animals and children and Dr. Yamaoka from Kobe City General Hospital kindly offered to answer questions on more physiological topics. He received some serious enquiries from concerned parents, and Ms. Bank and Prof. Ascione were delighted that many children took the initiative to come up and talk with them.




As in previous years, photographs by Ms. Sanae KODAMA and illustrations by Mr. Satoshi OGURA were on exhibition and these appealed to the children in particular. As the event was held in an elementary school, many parents with children made up the attendance and cheerfully interacted with other families and exhibitors. This helped make the event all the more successful

　For Knots, holding the event in an elementary school was a valuable experience. Knots wishes to extend a big thank you to all the people related to Motoyama Daini (No. 2) Elementary School who helped provide an excellent venue and gave such generous support and cooperation.
　
　
The two symposia and the festival also enjoyed the support and cooperation of many other individuals from around Japan and from overseas. Knots feels that the importance of this year’s theme, and the responsibilities adults have on the issue of children and animals, was recognized by a great many people. Knots hopes that these events were able to provide sufficient opportunities for many people to more deeply consider what can be done to benefit animals and the children who make up society’s future. Ultimately, it is hoped that the event will give rise to more effort and more awareness building in the future and expand on the issues discussed.