Veterinary Support for the education of primary school,

　　　　　　　　　　　学校獣医師による小学校等への飼育支援体制について
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　中川　美穂子　　　　　　　　　
Small animals had been kept for educational aims in many kindergartens and elementary schools
in Japan traditionally. It is expected that keeping small animals encourage children’s sympathy,
affection, responsibility, and respect to lives. Since the present school of education does not
offer any class associated with the Human-Animal relationship, most school teachers have no
opportunity for getting a knowledge of school animals and are in trouble with treating them. Each
veterinarian, who is a parent of the school children, has taken care of the school animals for a long
time. In 1980, a city government of Kanagawa pref. had the first budget for the medical treatment
of school animals. And in 1991, the city government of Hoya in Tokyo pref. commissioned the
veterinary association of Hoya city to give medical care to the school animals and teach children
how to treat the animals. This supporting system for the school animals is recognized from the
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the number of municipalities
associated with the system becomes 222 as of February 7, 2002. 67 local governments including
19 prefectures commission to local veterinary associations.
The aims of the veterinarian in schools (The school-animal’s doctor) are that to teach children to
treat the school animals with love, and to make a good environment to keep the school animals which
is pleasant and secure both for the children and the animals. The veterinarian’s actual activities are
1.consulting for the school. 2.teaching the teachers about the human- animal relationship and how to
treat animals. 3.teaching the children how to treat animals. 4,attending to a school principal council,
the Board of Education, and any other meetings discussing principles of the educational program of
the Human-Animal relationship..
According to the report of 2001, present author investigated with National Institute for Educational
Policy Research, 83% of the schools having supported by veterinarians for last 3 years highly evaluated
this supporting system. The number of municipalities associated with the system might increase from
now on.

Key words; Veterinary Support for the education of primary school,School-animal, Human-Animal relation,
School-animal’s Doctor.

Mihoko Nakagawa,　Japanese Veterinary Council for School-owned Animals, Tokyo Veterinary Medical Associaton
, 5-16-29, Sin-machi, Nisi-Tokyo city, Tokyo, Japan

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（from Japanese Journal of Biological Education Vol.43 Mo.3 2002〜2003)

　to (Japanese Veterinary Council for Animals of School)

to( Society for　Humane & Science Education Utilizing School-owned Animals)