Cited by 95Human-Animal Interaction StudiesAnimal Behavior and Welfare StudiesStress Responses and Cortisol

‘Dog handlers’ and dogs’ emotional and cortisol secretion responses associated with animal-aassisted therapy sessions

Open access
Haubenhofer, Dorit Karla, Kirchengast, Sylvia·2007·Society & Animals

Abstract

Abstract The study investigated 13 dog handlers and 18 companion dogs (Canis familiaris) working as teams in nonhuman animal-assisted service. The handlers described in questionnaires what emotions they chose to associate with their daily life and therapeutic work. They described their emotional condition before and after therapeutic sessions, giving analogous descriptions for their dogs. Handlers collected saliva samples from themselves and their dogs (6 non-therapeutic control days) during 3 months of therapeutic work) to measure cortisol concentrations using an enzyme-immunoassay. Handlers chose different emotions from the questionnaires for themselves and their dogs, differing from the cortisol sampling results. Handlers and dogs had increased cortisol concentrations on therapy days compared to control days. Handlers had significantly higher concentrations immediately before therapeutic sessions. In handlers, cortisol concentrations increased steadily with the duration of sessions; in dogs, with the number of sessions per week. Further study of the effects of recreation periods during therapy work days or of more days scheduled without therapy will help clarify what conditions for delivering animal-assisted service best safeguard the welfare of dog and dog handler teams.

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Crossref · 10.1163/156853007x187090

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Authors
Haubenhofer, D. K., & Kirchengast, S.
Affiliations
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
  • University of Vienna (AT)
Venue
Society & Animals
Published
2007
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
127-150
ISSN
  • 1063-1119 (ISSN-L)
  • 1568-5306
OpenAlex
W2016141248
Cited by
95
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6
FWCI
1.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Society and Animals (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
dog handlers, pet dogs, animal-assisted therapy, cortisol, emotional responses, salivary cortisol, dog welfare

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