Cited by 120Human-Animal Interaction StudiesAnimal Behavior and Welfare StudiesStress Responses and Cortisol

Physiological arousal for companion dogs working with their owners in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy

Haubenhofer, Dorit Karla, Kirchengast, Sylvia·2006·Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

Abstract

This study investigated the physiological reactions of companion dogs (Canis familiaris) used in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy by measuring salivary cortisol concentrations. The dog caregivers (owners) collected saliva samples (a) at 3 control days without therapeutic work, (b) directly before and after each therapeutic session during 3 consecutive months, and (c) again at 3 control days without therapeutic work. The study used an enzyme immunoassay to analyze the samples. Cortisol concentrations were significantly higher during therapy days than on control days. Dogs working during the first half of the day produced higher cortisol concentrations after therapeutic sessions than before, whereas dogs working in the afternoon produced lower cortisol concentrations. Cortisol concentrations were higher in short sessions than in long ones and increased relative to the number of therapeutic sessions done during the sampling period. The results indicate that therapeutic work was physiologically arousing for the dogs in this study. Whether these physiological responses are indicative of potentially negative stress or of positive excitement remains an open question.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327604jaws0902_5

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  • The handler and the dog living together ensures that the handler adequately identifies and interprets the body language of the dogs during sessions, reducing the possibility of stress.

    “Additionally, the handler and the dog will live together to ensure that the handler adequately identifies and interprets the body language of the dogs during the sessions, reducing the possibility of suffering from stress, which may be experienced during AAT sessions [67,68].”

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Authors
Haubenhofer, D. K., & Kirchengast, S.
Affiliations
University of Vienna (AT)
Venue
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
Published
2006-04
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
165-172
ISSN
  • 1088-8705 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7604
OpenAlex
W1994738802
Cited by
120
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Universität Wien
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
pet dogs, animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted activities, salivary cortisol, physiological arousal, canine stress, dog owners, working dogs, session duration, time of day effects
MeSH terms
Animals, Dogs, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Saliva, Stress, Psychological, Work

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