Dogs Trust

BackgroundAccurate surveillance data are critical for addressing tick and tick-borne pathogen risk to human and animal health. Current surveillance methods for detecting invading or expanding tick species are limited in their ability to scale efficiently to state or national levels. In this study we explored the potential use of scent detection dogs to assist field surveys for a hard tick species: Dermacentor albipictus.MethodsWe used a series of indoor and in situ training simulations to teach scent detection dogs to recognize D. albipictus scent, distinguish tick scent from associated vegetation, and develop a cautious search pattern. After training, we deployed both a scent detection dog survey team and a human-only survey team on transect and surveillance plot surveys then compared the detection rates and efficiency of both methods.ResultsScent detection dogs required more time and money to train on field surveys but were comparable to traditional tick drags when accounting for cost per unit area surveyed. There was a lack of agreement on positive (ticks present) versus negative (ticks not present) sites between the two methods, implying that neither method is particularly reliable at detecting D. albipictus.ConclusionsEstimating detection bias and false negative rates for tick surveillance methods such as tick drags will be important for accurately evaluating tick-borne disease risk across space and into the future. We found scent detection dogs to be a reasonable alternative sampling approach to consider when ticks are at low abundance or patchily distributed such as during tick range expansion or novel invasions. Scent detection dogs may also be useful for sampling for ticks in areas or along surfaces that are difficult to sample with the traditional tick drag technique like at ports of entry or livestock competitions.Graphical

ABSTRACT Similar to parenting, raising a puppy can be stressful for guardians; however, this aspect of the guardian experience has received limited research attention. This study sought to fill the gap in understanding the stress experienced by puppy guardians and shed light on the factors influencing stress levels. An online survey was developed for guardians of dogs under 12 months of age and made available worldwide. A validated instrument (Parental Stress Scale) was modified to suit “parenting” of dogs and used to measure guardian stress levels. Data from 783 valid responses were received. For the statistical model, we fitted a linear regression with a modified Parental Stress Scale as the single outcome variable. A full linear model was fitted with predictors with a p-value of 0.2 or less, and a backwards stepwise selection process was used to find the ideal model, using AIC as the heuristic. Guardians who were satisfied with their puppy’s behavior, lived in Australia (compared with those living in the USA and Canada), scored higher in self-esteem, were happy with the division of puppy responsibilities in their household, and were raising puppies scoring higher in trainability were all associated with lower Parental Stress Scale scores. In contrast, first-time puppy guardians, guardians who worked from home some or all of the time, guardians raising puppies scoring higher in extraversion or neuroticism, and guardians who agreed that managing more than one dog in the household took up a lot of their time and energy, were all associated with higher Parental Stress Scale Scores. Although not initially developed for puppy guardians, the modified Parental Stress Scale shows potential as a useful measure for future use in this population.

Clinical abstract presented at BSAVA Congress 2024. See full text for abstract and see clinical abstract sessions for a recording of the presentation. Abstracts are presented as supplied and have not been edited.

Clinical abstract presented at BSAVA Congress 2024. See full text for abstract and see clinical abstract sessions for a recording of the presentation. Abstracts are presented as supplied and have not been edited.

It is believed that over a third of UK households now have a pet dog, and a Dogs Trust study found that dogs are not only considered as companion animals or pets but are also often perceived as family members who ‘complete’ the home and with whom owners form emotional bonds.

ABSTRACT Dogs living in Western countries today are more likely to be considered a member of the family compared with those in previous generations. This shift in human–dog dynamics also affects how dogs are raised, the benefits perceived, and the challenges faced by guardians. To provide appropriate support to modern dog guardians, canine professionals need to understand their experience. This study aimed to better understand the lived experience of guardians who acquire and raise puppies for companionship. This longitudinal study surveyed 19 Australian puppy guardians every two weeks, from 3 weeks after puppy acquisition, through to their puppy turning 6 months of age. By undertaking analysis of free-text responses, we developed themes describing what guardians found most rewarding/enjoyable, most challenging, and most helpful. These themes were closely interconnected and suggest that puppy raising is complex, and sequential factors may have cumulative effects. Forming an attachment with their puppy, training, eudaimonic happiness, creating social networks, and having sufficient time to dedicate to puppy raising were major positive factors in a guardian’s experience. Training appears to have multi-faceted benefits as it likely provided opportunity for shared activity, increased positive states, eudaimonic happiness, attachment, and decreased challenges. Social networks may help decrease the time guardians require to raise their puppy (as burden is shared) as well as mitigate challenges, decrease negative states, and increase feelings of eudaimonic happiness. Challenges revolved around navigating puppy training and behavior, and the emotional and physical struggle of striving to be a “good guardian.” Understanding the puppy-raising experience better may help key stakeholders provide guardian-appropriate guidance, support, and resources to increase enjoyment and decrease stress in puppies and their guardians.

The Cat Friendly Clinic, Dog Friendly Clinic and Rabbit Friendly Vet accreditation schemes recognise that vet visits can be fearful or distressing experiences for both pet and owner, and advocate making small changes within the clinic to make the vet visit calmer and easier for everyone. The first step in reducing canine stress within the veterinary environment is to understand why the veterinary experience might cause distress. Factors such as the clinic environment, situation stacking during the visit, and how dogs learn, are all worthy of exploration. Adapting the clinical environment and clinic–patient interactions, alongside educating owners about effective preparation for veterinary visits, can help make these calmer and easier for everyone involved.

Simple SummaryAlthough animals are being employed for a growing number of roles to support people, the terms used to describe those animals (e.g., “therapy animal” and “emotional support animal”) can be confusing. The same term may be used to describe different types of work, or the same role can be described with different terms. This paper presents the results of a collaboration between over 100 researchers, practitioners, and end users of animal-based supports from all over the world. We created working definitions for the following nine terms: “assistance animal”, “companion animal”, “educational/school support animal”, “emotional support animal”, “facility animal”, “service animal”, “skilled companion animal”, “therapy animal”, and “visiting/visitation animal”. In this paper, we describe the defining characteristics of each animal type and how it is different from the other types. We recommend phasing out the terms “skilled companion animal” and “service animal”, because they are similar to other terms. We discuss how our definitions may be received in different parts of the world.The nomenclature used to describe animals working in roles supporting people can be confusing. The same term may be used to describe different roles, or two terms may mean the same thing. This confusion is evident among researchers, practitioners, and end users. Because certain animal roles are provided with legal protections and/or government-funding support in some jurisdictions, it is necessary to clearly define the existing terms to avoid confusion. The aim of this paper is to provide operationalized definitions for nine terms, which would be useful in many world regions: “assistance animal”, “companion animal”, “educational/school support animal”, “emotional support animal”, “facility animal”, “service animal”, “skilled companion animal”, “therapy animal”, and “visiting/visitation animal”. At the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) conferences in 2018 and 2020, over 100 delegates participated in workshops to define these terms, many of whom co-authored this paper. Through an iterative process, we have defined the nine terms and explained how they differ from each other. We recommend phasing out two terms (i.e., “skilled companion animal” and “service animal”) due to overlap with other terms that could potentially exacerbate confusion. The implications for several regions of the world are discussed.

This chapter provides extensive information on the two types of stress injuries which are related to compassion fatigue and burnout among animal welfare professionals. Primary stress injuries are the most common form of stress, arising from demands and pressures of the recent past, as well as anticipated demands and pressures of the near future. Secondary traumatic stress describes the phenomenon whereby individuals become traumatized, not by experiencing a traumatic event themselves, but by learning about someone else's experience, whether social or professional. Specific criteria characterizing these stress disorders are discussed. The following steps to self-care recommended are also covered: record your activity; combat the 'fear of missing out'; start a self-care 'selection'; find time for yourself every day; delegate; have a home-time routine; assess how much trauma you are exposed to and take steps to reduce it; learn more about compassion fatigue and burnout; consider reducing your hours; and exercise.

This chapter provides information on how animal welfare professionals are vulnerable to additional risk factors, such as the dependency or overreliance of clients on their services, lone working, sole responsibility for one's practice, long hours, and regular incidences of unavoidable overtime such as attending to emergencies, potentially coupled with student debt following academic study or financial pressures due to self-employment. In a systematic review of work and sport-related resilience studies, 12 mental resources were commonly identified, associated with the building and maintenance of resilience, as well as occasional references to hope, focus, and self-sufficiency. The emerging concept of self-help, mindfulness as a model, the work of Seligman, mindset, goal setting, and if-then plans are also discussed.