Federal, state, and institutional regulations regarding a nursing student with a service animal

Several universities are reporting increasing numbers of students using a service animal. Understanding the three types of assistance animals-service animal, therapy animal, and emotional support animal-will assist nursing educators in determining which animals are trained to provide a specific service to the student. Students with conditions as varied as diabetes, anxiety disorder, and seizures may benefit from a service animal. Reviewing the types of support these animals provide and federal, state, and local regulations related to service animal use will guide faculty members in preparing for a high quality learning experience for students who use a service animal. Query: Embase, CINAHL, PubMed.

Preventing skeletal and neurological problems in guide dogs for the blind and other working dogs

Skeletal and neurological problems consistently rank among the top health conditions necessitating the withdrawal or retirement of guide dogs and other working dogs from their service roles. Management practices such as weight management and physical conditioning may help to reduce the incidence of such conditions. However, where there is at least partial genetic aetiology, selective breeding strategies are the only way to produce a lasting reduction in their incidence in future generations. The management of single gene disorders is relatively simple through the judicious use of DNA test results. Breeding strategies to tackle complex diseases, into which category many skeletal and neurological diseases fall, are more challenging but can be successful through the use of data collected through screening schemes and, most efficiently, through the use of estimated breeding values.

Investigation of risk factors for mortality in aged guide dogs: A retrospective cohort study

The overall median lifespan of domestic dogs has been estimated to 9-12 years, but little is known about risk factors for mortality in aged and a priori healthy dogs. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to determine which characteristics are associated with mortality in aged and a priori healthy guide dogs, in a retrospective cohort study of 116 guide dogs followed from a systematic geriatric examination at the age of 8-10 years old. A geriatric grid collected the clinical data and usual biological parameters were measured at the time of examination. Univariate (Kaplan-Meier estimates) and multivariable (Cox proportional hazard model) survival analyses were used to assess the associations with time to all-cause death. The majority of dogs were Golden Retrievers (n=48) and Labrador Retrievers (n=27). Median age at geriatric examination was 8.9 years. A total of 76 dogs died during follow-up, leading to a median survival time from geriatric examination of 4.4 years. After adjustment for demographic and biological variables, an increased alanine amionotransferase level (adjusted Hazard Ratio (adjusted HR), 6.2; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 2.0-19.0; P<0.01), presenting skin nodules (adjusted HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.4; P=0.04), and not being a Labrador Retriever (adjusted HR, 3.3; 95%CI, 1.4-10; P<0.01) were independently associated with a shorter time to death. This study documents independent associations of alanine aminotransferase level, skin nodules and breed with mortality in aged guide dogs. These results may be useful for preventive medical care when conducting a geriatric examination in working dogs.