The DOI matches its Crossref record; 12 of the 12 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Physiological Arousal for Companion Dogs Working With Their Owners in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy
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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In the citing paper
“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].”
From Effects of dog-assisted therapy in adolescents with eating disorders: A study protocol for a pilot controlled trial (2021) · cites this paper as [67]
In the citing paper
“Research shows that therapy dogs can experience stress or burnout if not properly managed, which may reduce the therapy’s effectiveness and negatively impact animal welfare [39–41].”
From Canine-assisted therapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels of university students: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2025) · cites this paper as [41]
Citations
Cites
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Handbook on animal-assisted therapy. Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice
Fine, A. H. (2010) · Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) · doi:10.5167/uzh-46614 · Cited by 758
Behavioural, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs
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Palme, R., & Moestl, E. (1997) · Cited by 525
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Sources of sampling variation in saliva cortisol in dogs
Kobelt, A. J., Hemsworth, P. H., Barnett, J. L., & Butler, K. L. (2003) · Research in Veterinary Science · doi:10.1016/s0034-5288(03)00080-8 · Cited by 130
Animal-assisted therapy and the severely disabled child: a quantitative study
Heimlich, K. R. (2001) · Journal of rehabilitation · Cited by 96
Ethical Issues in Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs
Iannuzzi, D., & Rowan, A. N. (1991) · Anthrozoös · doi:10.2752/089279391787057116 · Cited by 92
Circadian Rhythm of Cortisol Secretion in Dogs of Different Daily Activities
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Research works printed but not linked: 5
- Ferrara, M., Natoli, E. & Fantini, C. (2004, October). Dog welfare during animal assisted activities and animal assisted therapy. Poster presented at the 10th International Conference of the IAHAIO, Glasgow, Scotland.
- Haubenhofer D. K., 2005, Wiener Tierarztliche Monatschrift, 92, 66
- Nagel, M. & von Reinhardt, C. (2003). Stress bei Hunden [Stress in dogs] (2nd ed.). Grassau, Germany: Animal Learn Verlag.
- Palme R., 1997, International Journal of Mammal Biology, 62, 192
- Von Faber, H. & Haid, H. (1995). Endokrinologie [Endocrinology] (4th ed.). Stuttgart, Germany: UTM-Fur Wissenschaft Verlag Eugen Ulmer.
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Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions
Glenk, L. (2017) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani7020007 · Cited by 239
Fine, A. H., Beck, A. M., & Ng, Z. (2019) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph16203997 · Cited by 191
The influence of animals on the development of children
Endenburg, N., & van Lith, H. A. (2011) · The Veterinary Journal · doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.020 · Cited by 153
Ng, Z. Y., Pierce, B. J., Otto, C. M., Buechner-Maxwell, V. A., Siracusa, C., & Werre, S. R. (2014) · Applied Animal Behaviour Science · doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2014.07.009 · Cited by 109
Salivary cortisol and behavior in therapy dogs during animal-assisted interventions: A pilot study
Glenk, L. M., Kothgassner, O. D., Stetina, B. U., Palme, R., Kepplinger, B., & Baran, H. (2014) · Journal of Veterinary Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2014.02.005 · Cited by 99
Metadata
- Authors
- Haubenhofer, D. K., & Kirchengast, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Vienna (AT)
- ORCID
- Kirchengast, Sylvia
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- 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 › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › 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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