Disaster response and its aftermath: A systematic review of the impact of disaster deployment on working dogs

Salden, Sofie; Wijnants, Jozefien; Baeken, Chris; Saunders, Jimmy H.; De Keuster, Tiny

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105987

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The evidence to support the occurrence of post-traumatic physical/behavioural pathologies in dogs is, however, a newer development in veterinary behavioural medicine [97,98]. It has been investigated in working dogs utilised in bomb detection or post-disaster deployment [98][99][100] whereas their human-handler counterparts have been diagnosed and treated for PTSD for many years [101].…”

Section: Adverse Experiences or Traumas In Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Benefits of a ‘Trauma-Informed Care’ Approach to Improve the Assessment and Management of Dogs Presented with Anxiety Disorders

Corridan,

Dawson,

Mullan

2024

Animals

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Dog caregiver reporting on the spectrum of fearful–aggressive behaviours often describes ‘unpredictable’ or ‘exaggerated’ responses to a situation/animal/person. A possible explanation for these behavioural responses considers that the dog is reacting to triggered memories for which the dog has a negative association. For many dogs undergoing veterinary behavioural treatment or rehabilitation through a canine rescue organisation, the assessing clinician relies on “proxy” reporting of the history/background by a caregiver (dog owner, foster carer, or shelter personnel). Detailed information on the event or circumstances resulting in this negative association may be limited or absent altogether. Consideration of a trauma-informed care (TIC) approach, currently applied in a wide range of human psychology and social care fields, may be helpful in guiding the clinical approach taken. The literature relating to adverse early experience (AEE) and trauma-informed care (TIC) in puppies/dogs compared to children/adults was evaluated to identify common themes and conclusions identified across both species. In the absence of known/identifiable trauma, behavioural assessment and management should consider that a ‘problem’ dog may behave as it does, as the result of previous trauma. The dog can then be viewed through a lens of empathy and understanding, often lacking for dogs presenting with impulsive, reactive, or aggressive behaviours. Assessment must avoid re-traumatising the animal through exposure to triggering stimuli and, treatment options should include counselling of caregivers on the impact of adverse early experiences, consideration of the window of tolerance, and TIC behavioural modification techniques.

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