Disaster Preparedness among Service Dog Puppy- Raisers (Human Subject Sample)

Abstract

Little is known about the ways in which puppy raisers engage in disaster preparedness for their puppies (or “guide dogs in training”). The aim of this research is to understand disaster preparedness among service dog puppy raisers. A web-based survey was distributed to people raising puppies in a service dog training program (n = 53 complete survey responses). Questions in the survey included items about disaster preparedness and plans for canine safety in hazards events. Out of those who said they had an evacuation plan for their puppy in training, 59% stated they would put the dog in their vehicles for evacuating to safety in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. The odds of first-time puppy raisers who considered evacuation for Hurricane Irma in 2017 was 15.3 times the odds of repeat raisers. Over half the raisers reported that they did not have a disaster kit. Additionally, 82% of respondents indicated that having a service puppy in training makes them feel safer. These results can be used as a foundation for service dog organizations in disaster preparedness among their puppy raiser volunteers and in designing recruitment messages for new volunteers.

Participatory 3D model to promote intergenerational engagement for disaster risk reduction in São Luiz do Paraitinga, Brazil

“…Additionally, and to give participants a chance to represent anything we may be missing, we provided them with materials (paper, playdough, glue, paint, etc.). For instance, pets which we did not represent, and which should be considered in the emergency management plans (DeYoung et al, 2020). Once introduced to all the elements in the 3D model, participants evaluated disaster risk based on hazards, treated assets, vulnerabilities and capacities (Cadag and Gaillard, 2012;Gaillard et al, 2013).…”

Physical health caregiver, mental wellness supporter, and overall well-being advocate: Women's roles towards animal welfare during the COVID-19 emergency response

“…For example, within the traditional animal assistance domain, Kussalanant and colleagues discovered canine assistants saved the lives of their guardians with (dis)Abilities when disaster hit, supporting guardian health and well-being and enhancing their coping capacity [ 31 ]. More importantly, companion animal guardianship shapes guardian risk perception [ 32 ], emergency decision-making [ 33 ], and overall mental health [ 34 ]. Specifically, studies demonstrate human-animal bonds directly influence guardian emergency evacuation behaviors, as both companion animal guardians [ 35 ]; [ 36 ] and farm animal owners [ 37 ] make animal welfare-driven decisions to either follow or ignore evacuation orders, acting according to their animal's best interests.…”