Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-5wvtr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T11:09:04.788Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Stress levels in dogs, and its recognition by their handlers, during animal-assisted therapy in a prison

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

N Koda ,
G Watanabe ,
Y Miyaji ,
A Ishida  and
C MiyaJi
N Koda*
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
G Watanabe
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
Y Miyaji
Affiliation:
Japan Animal-Assisted Therapy Council, 441-10 Shimokusadani, Inami, Kako-gun, Hyogo 675-1101, Japan
A Ishida
Affiliation:
Harima Rehabilitation Program Center, 544 Sosa, Yahata, Kakogawa, Hyogo 675-1201, Japan
C MiyaJi
Affiliation:
Japan Animal-Assisted Therapy Council, 441-10 Shimokusadani, Inami, Kako-gun, Hyogo 675-1101, Japan
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: koda@cc.tuat.ac.jp
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The stress on dogs and their handlers during animal-assisted therapy in a prison programme was evaluated using questionnaires and measurement of the dogs’ saliva cortisol concentrations before and after the sessions. Their handlers were volunteers who underwent training classes with their pet dogs. Overall, the dogs did not show serious signs of stress in the programme, which was also the impression of their handlers. In most cases, the dogs’ saliva cortisol values decreased following their participation in the sessions. There was an association between the dogs’ stress levels and the handlers’ self-reported stress. In 11% of cases, the dogs were evaluated as stressed during the session, but their saliva cortisol values did not change significantly from before to after the session. Some handlers might have misconstrued their dogs’ behavioural states. Improvement of the dogs’ welfare may be achievable through giving feedback to the handlers to more accurately evaluate their dogs’ behaviours, by strengthening the selection of appropriate units and classes prior the programme, by developing a programme and handling methods less burdensome to the animals, and by enhancing the aftercare of animals when they are stressed in a session. Achievement of these goals would also strengthen the bonds between dogs and handlers, contributing to a more effective programme for clients.

Keywords

animal-assisted therapyanimal welfarebehaviourcortisoldogsstress
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , May 2015 , pp. 203 - 209
Copyright
© 2015 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beerda, B, Schilder, MBH, Janssen, NSCRM and Mol, JA 1996 The use of saliva cortisol, urinary cortisol, and cate-cholamine measurements for a noninvasive assessment of stress responses in dogs. Hormones and Behavior 30: 272–279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/hbeh.1996.0033CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beerda, B, Schilder, MBH, van Hooff, JARAM, de Vries, HW and Mol, JA 1998 Behavioural, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 58: 365–381. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(97)00145-7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bergamasco, L, Osella, MC, Savarino, P, Larosa, G, Ozella, L, Manassero, M, Bandino, P, Odore, R, Barbero, R and Re, G 2010 Heart rate variability and saliva cortisol assessment in shelter dog: Human-animal interaction effects. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 125: 56–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applan-im.2010.03.002CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coppola, CL, Grandin, T and Enns, RM 2006 Human interaction and cortisol: Can human contact reduce stress for shelter dogs? Physiology & Behavior 87: 537–541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.12.001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fournier, AK, Geller, ES and Fortney, EV 2007 Human-animal interaction in a prison setting: Impact on criminal behavior, treat-ment progress, and social skills. Behavior and Social Issues 16: 89–105. http://dx.doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v16i1.385CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fredrickson, M 1995 The role of pets in therapeutic programmes: animal-assisted activities. In: Robinson, I (ed) The Waltham Book of Human-Animal Interaction: Benefits and Responsibilities of Pet Ownership pp 60–63. Pergamon Press: Oxford, UKGoogle Scholar
Furst, G 2011 Animal Programs in Prison: A Comprehensive Assessment. First Forum Press: Colorado, USAGoogle Scholar
Handlin, L, Hydbring-Sandberg, E, Nilsson, A, Ejdeback, M, Jansson, A and Uvnas-Moberg, K 2011 Short-term interaction between dogs and their owners: Effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate? An exploratory study. Anthrozoös 24: 301–315. http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/175303711X13045914865385CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haubenhofer, DK and Kirchengast, S 2007 Dog handlers’ and dogs’ emotional and cortisol secretion responses associated with animal-assisted therapy sessions. Society and Animals 15: 127–150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853007X187090CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hennessy, MB, Williams, MT, Miller, DD, Douglas, CW and Voith, VL 1998 Influence of male and female petters on plasma cortisol and behaviour: Can human interaction reduce the stress of dogs in a public animal shelter? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 61: 63–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00179-8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Horii, T, Uetake, K, Kanada, K and Tanaka, T 2003 Stress assessment by dogs’ behavior and urinary catecholamine concen-trations during animal-assisted activity. Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho 74: 375–381. http://dx.doi.org/10.2508/chikusan.74.375CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Horvath, Z, Doka, A and Miklosi, A 2008 Affiliative and discipli-nary behavior of human handlers during play with their dog affects cortisol concentrations in opposite directions. Hormones and Behavior 54: 107–114. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.02.002CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jones, AC and Josephs, RA 2006 Interspecies hormonal interactions between man and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Hormones and Behavior 50: 393–400. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yh beh.2006.04.007CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
King, C, Watters, J and Mungre, S 2011 Effect of a time-out session with working animal-assisted therapy dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 6: 232–238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jve b.2011.01.007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Koda, N, Miyazi, Y, Adachi, Y, Watanabe, G and Miyazi, C 2013a Effects of a dog-assisted program on the mood in a prison and evaluation by dog handlers. Conference Abstract Book of the 22nd Annual Conference of International Society for Anthrozoology: Effects of a dog-assisted program on the mood in a prison and evaluation by dog handlers. Conference Abstract Book of the 22nd Annual Conference of International Society for Anthrozoology: International Society for Anthrozoology: Chicago, USAGoogle Scholar
Koda, N, Miyazi, Y, Kuniyoshi, M, Watanabe, G and Miyazi, C 2013b Psychological evaluation of a dog-assisted program in a prison by inmates and handlers. Abstracts of the 2013 Triennial Conference of International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations: Chicago, USAGoogle Scholar
Martin, P and Bateson, P 1990 Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UKGoogle Scholar
Moneymaker, JM and Strimple, EO 1991 Animals and inmates: A sharing companionship behind bars. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 16: 133–152. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J076v16n03_09CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oyama, D, Hyodo, M, Doi, H, Kurachi, T, Takata, M, Koyama, S, Satoh, T and Watanabe, G 2014 Saliva collection by using filter paper for measuring cortisol levels in dogs. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 46: 20–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.09.008CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pastore, C, Pirrone, F, Balzarotti, F, Faustini, M, Pierantoni, L, and Albertini, M 2011 Evaluation of physiological and behav-ioral stress-dependent parameters in agility dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 6: 188–194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.01.001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tami, G and Gallagher, A 2009 Description of the behavior of domestic dog (Canis familiaris) by experienced and inexperienced people. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 120: 159–169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2009.06.009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taya, K, Watanabe, G and Sasamoto, S 1985 Radioimmunoassay for progesterone, testosterone and estradiol 17beta using I 125-iodohistamine radioligands. Japanese Journal of Animal Reproduction 31: 186–197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1262/j rd1977.31.186Google Scholar
Uetake, K, Otsuka, N, Osada, S, Kanada, K, Miyamoto, S, Horii, T, Fukuzawa, M, Eguchi, Y, Ota, M and Tanaka, T 2007 Stress response of dogs repeatedly participated in animal-assisted activities at special nursing homes for elderly people. Animal Behaviour and Management 43: 192–198Google Scholar
Vincent, IC and Michell, AR 1992 Comparison of cortisol con-centrations in saliva and plasma of dogs. Research in Veterinary Science 53: 342–345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0034-5288(92)90137-QCrossRefGoogle Scholar