1
|
Jones MG, Filia K, Rice SM, Cotton SM. Guidance on Minimum Standards for Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Adolescent Mental Health: Delphi Expert Consensus on Health, Safety, and Canine Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:705. [PMID: 38473090 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
As interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and canine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP) grows, there are increasing calls for the management of related health, safety, and welfare concerns for canines, providers, and clients. Existing health and safety guidelines lack empirical support and are, at times, contradictory. Welfare is increasingly prioritized; however, tools to monitor and manage welfare are underutilized and under-reported. The aim of this study was to provide expert consensus on the minimum health, safety, and welfare standards required to develop and deliver a CAP group program to adolescents experiencing common mental health disorders. Diverse AAT experts were recruited globally. Using Delphi methodology, over two rounds, 40 panelists reached a consensus agreement to include 32 items from a possible 49 into the minimum standards. Health and safety measures included risk assessment, veterinary screening, preventative medicine, training in infection control, and first aid. Welfare measures included training in welfare assessment, documentation of welfare, and flexible, individualized responses to promote wellbeing. Intestinal screening for parasites and the prohibition of raw food were not supported. Flexible and individualized assessment and management of canine welfare were supported over fixed and time-limited work schedules. Clinical practice implications are discussed, and recommendations are made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie G Jones
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Lead The Way Institute, Ferntree Gully, Melbourne, VIC 3156, Australia
| | - Kate Filia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Simon M Rice
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sue M Cotton
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miller SL, Serpell JA, Dalton KR, Waite KB, Morris DO, Redding LE, Dreschel NA, Davis MF. The Importance of Evaluating Positive Welfare Characteristics and Temperament in Working Therapy Dogs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:844252. [PMID: 35445102 PMCID: PMC9014261 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.844252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, investigations of the welfare of therapy dogs have focused largely on examining physiological and behavioral measures that could indicate if the animal is experiencing stress or distress. However, this approach does not fully address the definition of welfare which is often described as existing on a continuum from negative (or stressful) to positive. With therapy dogs, it would be worth addressing if they experience positive emotional affect while working since the quality and efficacy of animal-assisted interventions for the human recipient is likely to be influenced by the animal's emotional state during the interaction. The purpose of this review is to articulate how objective measurements of the HPA axis and measurements of behavioral observations and standardized questions can be used to evaluate positive welfare in therapy dogs. A potentially relevant indicator of positive welfare is the peripheral concentration of the neurohormone oxytocin, which has been found to increase in systemic circulation within a variety of species during positive social and affiliative contexts, including during human-dog interaction. Oxytocin is also a negative-feedback regulator of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which culminates with the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is widely used as a physiological indicator to assess negative welfare states in animals, including therapy dogs. Observable behavior during interactions with humans that may convey enjoyment could provide indicators of positive welfare in dogs such as engagement in play, or human-directed affiliative behaviors including leaning against, nudging, or licking the patient. However, in assessing positive welfare, it is also critical to consider that all animal behavioral displays and physiological responses are dependent on the dog's individual (and breed) temperament. Temperament directly drives how the animal copes and responds to its current physical and social environment, including during stressful situations such as when therapy dogs interact with unfamiliar humans in novel healthcare settings. Coupled with both positive and negative physiological and behavioral welfare indicators, questionnaire data can provide further context to, and enhance interpretations of, therapy dog welfare assessment results. Overall, to date, no studies have measured all of these factors to assess therapy dog welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmaine L Miller
- One Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James A Serpell
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kathryn R Dalton
- One Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kaitlin B Waite
- One Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daniel O Morris
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laurel E Redding
- Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, United States
| | - Nancy A Dreschel
- Department of Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Meghan F Davis
- One Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Narvekar HN, Narvekar HN. Canine-Assisted Therapy in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review. Eur J Integr Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2022.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
4
|
Rodríguez-Martínez MDC, De la Plana Maestre A, Armenta-Peinado JA, Barbancho MÁ, García-Casares N. Evidence of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Neurological Diseases in Adults: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12882. [PMID: 34948491 PMCID: PMC8701659 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the possibility of intervening humans with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been growing due to numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits provided to humanity, enabling them to maintain or improve their quality of life. There exist different animals through which this therapy can be performed. The purpose of this systematic review will focus on the effects of AAT in several neurological diseases. METHODS The search of clinical trials was carried out in the PubMed, Scielo, Embase and PEDro databases. The selection of articles was made according to the different inclusion and exclusion criteria, incorporating those that approached neurological diseases to be reviewed. RESULTS Twenty-five clinical trials were identified, seventeen of which were finally included in the review. The results indicate that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in different neurological diseases has many benefits in several areas, for example, in motor and physical ability as well as in mental and behavioural health. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review provides occupational therapy practitioners with evidence on the use of activity based on animal-assisted therapy as a novel field of intervention that can complement other therapies and obtain benefits in different populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan Antonio Armenta-Peinado
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, C/Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa 3, 29071 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Miguel Ángel Barbancho
- Pathological Anatomy and Physical-Sports, Education, Department of Human Physiology, Human Histology, University of Malaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Médico Sanitarias (CIMES), University of Malaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Natalia García-Casares
- Centro de Investigaciones Médico Sanitarias (CIMES), University of Malaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Málaga, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain
| |
Collapse
|