Physiological Arousal for Companion Dogs Working With Their Owners in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy

Haubenhofer, D.K.; Kirchengast, Sylvia

doi:10.1207/s15327604jaws0902_5

Cited by 91 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…From the saliva samples of the trainers, we measured testosterone (picograms per ml of saliva–pg/ml) and SC (nanograms per ml of saliva–ng/ml) concentrations. All saliva samples were analysed using an enzyme immunoassay as described by Haubenhofer and Kirchengast [35], previously validated by Patzl [91]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Training Reduces Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves to the Same Degree as in Dogs

et al. 2016

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The welfare of animals in captivity is of considerable societal concern. A major source of stress, especially for wild animals, is the lack of control over their environment, which includes not being able to avoid contact with human beings. Paradoxically, some studies have shown that interactions with human beings may improve the welfare of wild animals in captivity. Here, we investigated the behavioural (behaviours indicative of cooperation or stress) and physiological (variations in salivary cortisol concentrations) effects of the increasingly used practice of training wild animals as a way to facilitate handling and/or as behavioural enrichment. We evaluated the effects of indoor training sessions with familiar caretakers on nine human-socialised individuals of a wild species, the wolf (Canis lupus), in comparison to nine individuals of its domesticated form, the dog (Canis lupus familiaris). All animals were raised and kept in intraspecific packs under identical conditions—in accordance with the social structure of the species—in order to control for socialisation with human beings and familiarity with training. We also collected saliva samples of trainers to measure GC and testosterone concentrations, to control for the effects of trainers’ stress levels on the responses of the animals. During the training sessions, separated from pack members, the animals stayed voluntarily close to the trainers and mostly adequately performed requested behaviours, indicating concentration to the task. Similarly to dogs, the salivary cortisol level of wolves–used as an index of stress—dropped during these sessions, pointing to a similar stress-reducing effect of the training interaction in both subspecies. The responses to the requested behaviours and the reduction in salivary cortisol level of wolves and dogs varied across trainers, which indicates that the relaxing effect of training has a social component. This points to another factor affecting the welfare of animals during the sessions, beside the rewarding effect of getting food and control over the situation by successfully completing a task. As all responses performed by the animals corresponded to cues already familiar to them, the reported effects were likely due to the above cited factors rather than to a learning process. Our results support previous findings suggesting that training is a potentially powerful tool for improving welfare in some wild social canids by creating structured and positive interactions between these animals and their human caretakers.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Training Reduces Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves to the Same Degree as in Dogs

et al. 2016

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“…Researchers who have measured the physiological reactions of dogs used in AAA or AAT (e.g. Haubenhofer and Kirchengast, 2006;Glenk et al, 2013) note varying changes in cortisal levels which indicate arousal. Whether this is indicative of positive excitement or a potentially negative stress reaction is hard to establish.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The therapeutic potential of a prison-based animal programme in the UK

Mercer

Gibson

Clayton

2015

Journal of Forensic Practice

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Purpose: Much evidence suggests that animals can serve as therapeutic tools for those working with vulnerable individuals. This exploratory study analysed the accounts of staff and offenders involved in a UK prison-based animal programme.The aim was to explore the perceived impact of such a programme with male offenders. Design/ Methodology: Semi structured interviews were conducted with three service users and five staff members. Participants were drawn from a special unit in a category B prison which housed an animal centre.

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“…Haubenhofer et al (2006) relata possíveis causas de ansiedade nos cães, diretamente relacionadas a alterações fisiológicas das variáveis em estudo, destacando: o transporte, contato com outros cães, contato com pessoas desconhecidas e novo ambiente.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Variações Fisiológicas De Cães Envolvidos Em Atividades Assistidas E Avaliação Do Diagnóstico De Satisfação Dos Proprietários

Ferreira¹,

Miguel²,

Poiatti³

2017

COLLOQ AGRARIAE

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RESUMONas atividades Assistidas por Animais (AAA) os animais atuam como elo para estimular a sociabilidade do homem. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos das atividades assistidas, através da medição de parâmetros fisiológicos de 15 cães co-terapeutas utilizados nas sessões de AAA junto à APAE de Dracena. Foi realizada uma avaliação de diagnóstico com os proprietários dos cães, para medir o grau de satisfação atribuído ao desenvolvimento do projeto de extensão Cão Cidadão Unesp de Dracena. Houve diferença significativa entre portes, onde as médias dos cães de médio porte se apresentaram superiores aos de pequeno porte. As diferentes situações também apresentaram diferença significativa, essas alterações foram atribuídas devido à excitação dos animais, manipulação, presença de outros cães e pessoas. Os cães não apresentaram estresse negativo. Considerando o questionário de satisfação dos proprietários, as AAA são benéficas à saúde de seus cães, resultando em um alto grau de satisfação. Palavras-chave: Atividades Assistidas por Animais, Avaliação Fisiológica em Cães, Cães Coterapeutas PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF DOGS INVOLVED IN ASSISTED-ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENT OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF OWNERS SATISFACTION ABSTRACTIn Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA), the animals act as a link to stimulate the sociability of man. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of assisted-activities, through measuring the physiological parameters of 15 co-therapists dogs used in the AAA sessions, along with the APAE of Dracena. Was performed a diagnostic evaluation with the dog owners, to measure the degree of satisfaction attributed to the development of the extension project "Cão Cidadão Unesp de Dracena"There was a significant difference between sizes, where the averages of the mediumsized dogs were superior to the small size ones. The different situations also presented significant difference, these alterations were attributed due the excitation of the animals, manipulation, presence of other dogs and people. The dogs did not present negative stress. Considering the owners satisfaction questionnaire, the AAAs are beneficial to the health of their dogs, resulting in a high degree of satisfaction.

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Physiological Arousal for Companion Dogs Working With Their Owners in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy

Cited by 91 publications

References 7 publications

Training Reduces Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves to the Same Degree as in Dogs

Training Reduces Stress in Human-Socialised Wolves to the Same Degree as in Dogs

The therapeutic potential of a prison-based animal programme in the UK

Variações Fisiológicas De Cães Envolvidos Em Atividades Assistidas E Avaliação Do Diagnóstico De Satisfação Dos Proprietários

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