A study by Professor Takeshi Kikusui (Intermediate Zoology Laboratory) of the Department of Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, "Improvement of Well-being through Coexistence of Humans and Dogs-Relationships with Strengthening of Physical, Prosocial, and Social Networks" Adopted for "Basic Research (S)" of the 5 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research by JSPS.

 “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)” is a research category established to significantly develop original and pioneering research.In principle, the research period is five years, and the total amount of research funding applied is between 5 million yen and 5,000 million yen.

 Professor Kikusui's research has been evaluated as leading to solutions to problems such as well-being, the lowest level of developed countries in Japan, the isolation of children and families, and the collapse of local communities. Research (S) was adopted.

 Professor Kikusui, who mainly studies animal ethology, is working on the theme of how humans and animals, such as dogs, coexist in symbiosis. I am researching the effects on the mind and body of animals.

 Humans, born about 20 years ago, have walked alongside dogs for about one-fifth of their history.Professor Kikusui and his colleagues have found that humans and dogs, although they are different species, have undergone co-evolution that activates the oxytocin nervous system.This physical change is thought to enhance the well-being of dog breeders, while the presence of dogs is also known to have a mediating effect that connects humans in a certain space-time 'place'.

 Based on this, the presence of dogs brings trust and security to humans, and the prosocial behavior that arises from this leads to the building of trusting relationships through mental and physical changes in breeders. have the potential to strengthen their trust network.Ultimately, it is thought that individual well-being will improve through this connection with humans.

 In this research project, in addition to endocrinology, behavior and physiology, social psychology and IoT technology were used to investigate social behavior. Clarify the relationship between the dynamics of social networks and the improvement of well-being.These studies are expected to provide a clue to the solution of various problems facing Japan today.

[Collaborators]
Associate Professor Miho Nagasawa, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University
Atsushi Nishida Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
Professor Toko Kiyonari, Faculty of Social Information, Aoyama Gakuin University
Associate Professor Shuta Kagawa, Faculty of Social Information, Aoyama Gakuin University
Professor Itaru Ishiguro, College of Contemporary Psychology, Rikkyo University
Eiji Miyauchi, Associate Professor, Institute of Biological Regulation, Gunma University

Reference: [Azabu University] Research by Professor Takeshi Kikusui et al. relationship of 

Azabu University

Aim to become a specialist by learning closely about our lives such as animals, food, environment and health!

The roots of Azabu University go back to the "Tokyo Veterinary Training Center" established in 23 by Totaka Yokura in Azabu, Tokyo (currently Minami Azabu, Minato-ku). Opened as Azabu Veterinary University in 1890 and renamed Azabu University in 1950.At Azabu University, under the founding spirit of "the study of science and sincere practice" […]

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.