Exploring the Experiences of Volunteer Assistance Dog Puppy Raisers from the Same Program at Two Australian University Campuses

Assistance dogs are beneficial; however, accessing one can be challenging due to the time, cost, and high failure rates associated with training. A major factor contributing to a high failure rate appears to be the competency of volunteer puppy raisers (PRs), with returning PRs typically more effective than first-time PRs. However, there remains a gap in the literature dedicated to examining PRs' experiences and how they are affected by the raising programs. This study analysed two groups of PRs (N = 16) from the same university-based program in different Australian regions (i.e., one regional and one suburban). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed both inductively and deductively. The inductive approach identified four major themes that helped to understand the PRs experiences throughout the program: expectations as a PR, organisational and environmental support and suitability, the intensity of PR workload, and practical support. The deductive analysis identified four functions of volunteerism relevant to PRs' motivations: altruism (values), egoism (enhancement), interacting with others (social), and learning new skills (understanding). Overall, the results obtained from the two groups were consistent with past findings suggesting the benefits of organisational and practical support. These findings further develop our understanding of how to enhance puppy-raising experiences.

Application of an Adapted Behaviour Change Wheel to Assistance Dog Puppy Raising: A Proposed Raiser-Centred Support Program

Puppy raising (PR) programs recruit volunteer community members (raisers) to raise assistance dog (AD) candidates from puppyhood until the dogs are ready for advanced training. Once qualified, ADs assist human handlers with a disability to live more independently. Unfortunately, about 50% of all puppies do not meet the behavioural standards required for further training after completing a PR program. This increases costs and lengthens the time taken for a handler to obtain an AD. Research has identified several factors that influence raisers' experiences. It has also shown that raisers' socialisation and training practices affect perceived puppy behaviour. Drawing on the argument that puppy raiser practices are central to improving overall puppy raising program outcomes, this paper interprets recent findings within the framework provided by the behaviour change wheel-an established behaviour change framework-to suggest a coordinated approach to supporting puppy raisers. The recommendations will allow future research to employ more objective measures and more rigorous experimental designs as the field attempts to corroborate existing findings and develop evidence-based models of practice.

Defining Terms Used for Animals Working in Support Roles for People with Support Needs

Simple Summary

Although 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.

Abstract

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.

Defective RNA replication by poliovirus mutants deficient in 2A protease cleavage activity

2A protease (2Apro) catalyzes the initial cleavage of the poliovirus polyprotein which separates the P1 structural protein precursor from the P2-P3 nonstructural protein precursor. In addition, 2Apro indirectly induces cleavage of the p220 component of eukaryotic initiation factor 4F, which is thought to contribute to the specific inhibition of host cell protein synthesis observed in virus-infected HeLa cells. However, it is unclear whether the trans function of 2Apro which induces host cell shutoff is essential or merely facilitates efficient poliovirus replication. In this study, three point mutations in 2Apro (D38E, Y88L, and Y89L [S. F. Yu and R. E. Lloyd, Virology 182:615-625, 1991]) which cause specific loss of trans but not cis cleavage function were independently introduced into the full-length poliovirus cDNA. In addition, mutations which caused only partial loss of both cis and trans cleavage activities (Y88S) or resulted in a wild-type phenotype (Y88F) were individually introduced. When each of these mutant poliovirus cDNAs was transcribed and translated in vitro, normal proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein was observed, and p220 was not cleaved in those reactions containing proteases defective in trans function, as expected. Surprisingly, Northern (RNA) blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-PCRs performed after transfection of COS-7 or HeLa cells with these viral RNAs revealed that Y88S and Y88L RNAs replicated at only very low levels. RNA replication could not be detected at all in cells transfected with D38E and Y89L RNAs. Taken together, the results suggest a correlation between the function of 2Apro and productive poliovirus RNA replication in vivo that may be independent of the ability to cause p220 cleavage.

Production, purification, and characterization of human matrilysin (PUMP) from recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells

A process for semicontinuous production of matrilysin zymogen secreted from recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was developed. The zymogen was purified to apparent homogeneity by sequential ion-exchange and metal chelation chromatography. These processes were scaled-up to purify gram quantities of the zymogen. The N-terminus of the secreted zymogen from the recombinant cells was the same as the observed sequence of the zymogen from natural sources. Furthermore, activation and autocatalysis of the recombinant zymogen resulted in a form with an N-terminus identical to that of the corresponding native enzyme. The three C-terminal amino acids of both the recombinant zymogen and the corresponding smaller activated form were missing. Activated matrilysin was shown to have activity against a synthetic peptide substrate. The large quantities of matrilysin that can be produced and purified from the recombinant CHO cells will be useful in determination of the structure of matrilysin.

Methyldopa liver damage

Twenty patients are described in whom liver damage appeared to be directly related to the administration of methyldopa. Sixteen had hepatitic syndromes from which they recovered on stopping methyldopa; four of these patients had recurrences of jaundice after a second course of the drug. Features suggestive of active chronic hepatitis were found in two patients. There were two deaths attributed to methyldopa, one of these being in a patient with pre-existing undiagnosed macronodular cirrhosis.