Investigating the effects of incremental conditioning and supplemental dietary tryptophan on the voluntary activity and behaviour of mid-distance training sled dogs.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter synthesized by the amino acid tryptophan, that has the potential to impact the behaviour and activity of dogs. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of supplemental tryptophan and a 12-week incremental training regimen on the voluntary activity and behaviour of client-owned Siberian Huskies. Sixteen dogs were blocked for age, BW and sex and then randomly allocated to either the control or treatment group. Both groups were fed the same dry extruded diet; however, the treatment group were supplemented with tryptophan to achieve a tryptophan: large neutral amino acid ratio of 0.075:1. Once a week, a 5-minute video recording was taken immediately pre- and post- exercise to evaluate dogs' behaviours. Activity monitors were used to record voluntary activity on both training and rest days. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between training week and time spent performing each behaviour. Additionally, a repeated measure mixed model was used to test differences between diet groups and training week for both behavioural and activity count data. The time spent performing agonistic behaviours prior to exercise was negatively associated with week for treatment dogs (ß = -0.32, 95% CI [-0.55, -0.10], P < 0.05) and no change was observed for control dogs (ß = -0.13, 95% CI [-0.41, 0.15], P > 0.10). Treatment did not have any effect on activity levels (P > 0.10). For all dogs, locomotive behaviours decreased prior to exercise as weeks progressed (P < 0.05), while run day voluntary activity depended on the distance run that day (P < 0.05). These data suggest that sled dogs experience an exercise-induced reduction in voluntary locomotion in response to both single bouts and repetitive bouts of exercise. Additionally, tryptophan supplementation may decrease agonistic behaviours, without having any effect on voluntary activity.

Emotional responses to reading in the first grade - the "L.E.R. Cãofiante"* Project / Emoções face à leitura no 1º ano de escolaridade - Projeto "L.E.R. Cãofiante" / Emociones hacia la lectura en el 1º año de escolaridad - Proyecto 'L.E.R. Cãofiante'

The "L.E.R. Cãofiante"* project was implemented with first-grade pupils who took part in reading sessions animated by a librarian in partnership with her dogs. The goal was to evaluate the effect of this intervention on children's emotions regarding reading (enjoyment, anxiety, boredom). The participants were 80 children (47 in the Intervention Group (IG); 33 in the Comparison Group (CG)). Parents and teachers answered a questionnaire about children's involvement, and the children answered one about reading emotions. For data processing, repeated measures ANOVA was used along with content analysis of the answers to the questionnaires. The results showed different emotional profiles of children in the IG and the CG, mostly regarding enjoyment, which increased in the IG. Data from parents and teachers corroborated this conclusion, emphasising positive experiences which allowed an understanding of the role of dogs in children's enjoyment and interest in reading. (AU)

O projeto 'L.E.R. Cãofiante' foi implementado com alunos do 1º ano que participaram em sessões de leitura na biblioteca, dinamizadas pela bibliotecária em parceria com os seus cães. O objetivo é apresentar a avaliação dessa intervenção nas emoções das crianças face à leitura (prazer, ansiedade, aborrecimento). Participaram 80 crianças (47 no projeto - GP; 33 no Grupo de Comparação - GC). Os encarregados de educação e as professoras responderam a um questionário sobre o envolvimento das crianças, e estas a um questionário de emoções. No tratamento de dados, usou-se a ANOVA para medidas repetidas e análise de conteúdo das respostas aos questionários. Os resultados evidenciaram perfis emocionais diferentes das crianças do GP e do GC essencialmente para o prazer que aumentou no GP. Os dados dos pais e professoras corroboraram essa conclusão realçando as vivências positivas que permitiram compreender o papel dos cães na satisfação e interesse dessas crianças pela leitura. (AU)

El proyecto 'L.E.R. Cãofiante' fue implementado con alumnos de primer año que participaron en sesiones de lectura en la biblioteca, organizadas por el bibliotecario en compañía de sus perros. El objetivo de esta intervención fue evaluar las emociones de los niños con relación a la lectura (Placer, Ansiedad, Aburrimiento). Participaron 80 niños (47 en el proyecto - GP, y 33 en el grupo de comparación -GC). Los encargados de educación y las profesoras respondieron a un cuestionario sobre la participación de los niños, y éstos a un cuestionario de emociones. En el tratamiento de datos se utilizó ANOVA para medidas repetidas y un análisis de contenido de las respuestas de los cuestionarios. Los resultados evidenciaron perfiles emocionales diferentes en los niños del GP y del GC esencialmente para el Placer que aumentó en el GP. Los datos de los padres y profesoras corroboraron esta conclusión siendo resaltadas vivencias positivas que permitieron comprender el papel de los perros en la satisfacción e interés de estos niños por la lectura. (AU)

Dog-assisted therapy in the dental clinic. Part B. Hazards and assessment of potential risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog.

Background: A dental therapy dog may help anxious patients in the dental clinic overcome their fear and facilitate the completion of necessary dental care. Dental clinic activities are associated with hazards that may pose potential risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog. Objectives: To describe potential hazards associated with risks to health and safety to therapy dogs in dental clinics and to present suggestions for risk minimisation by adopting best practices in dental clinic settings. Materials and method: Literature searches in Medline, http://Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar for qualitative and quantitative assessments of occupational hazards and risks in dental clinics, in combination with a review of the reference list of the included studies. Identified hazards and risks were analysed relative to their relevance for the health and welfare of a therapy dog present in a dental clinic setting. Results: Workplace hazards in the dental clinic that apply to both humans and therapy dogs are allergies, sharps injury, eye injury, stress, rhinitis, hearing impairment, and other hazards. Additional concerns associated with risks for the dental therapy dog are situations involving erratic patient behaviour and threats if the patient is an undisclosed disease carrier. Risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog in the clinics are present but are low if the dental clinical staff and dog handlers comply with best practices. Conclusions: Best practice includes awareness amongst the clinic staff and the dog handler of all potential hazards in the dental clinic and on how to reduce these hazards as well as adverse events that may scare the dental therapy dog. The dental therapy dog team must be specially trained to work in a dental clinic. Each treatment session has to be exclusively tailored to that specific appointment and the individual patient.

Consideraciones de la terapia asistida con perros como apoyo a la terapia cognitivo-conductual / Considerations of dog assisted therapy in support of cognitive-behavioral therapy

Existe una literatura variada sobre los efectos de la terapia asistida con animales sobre la salud física y psicológica de los humanos. Sin embargo, no todos los resultados han sido claramente comprendidos, en parte por las formas de evaluación utilizadas. Este trabajo documenta una serie de limitaciones que se presentaron en el desarrollo de un estudio de investigación en el que se aplicó un taller para incrementar la inteligencia emocional en un grupo de adolescentes de una casa hogar. Las limitaciones presentadas son ejemplos de los aspectos esenciales a considerar para la evaluación y aplicación de la terapia asistida con animales como apoyo a la terapia cognitivo-conductual. Se concluye que, si bien la terapia asistida con animales es una intervención adecuada para ciertas poblaciones, debe considerarse el costo/beneficio para su aplicación

Effects of animal assisted therapy in relation to physical and psychological human health have been previously reported. However, not all the results have been clearly understood due to the variety of measurement forms used. This paper shows the limitations faced when developing a research study on a workshop applied to increase emotional intelligence in a group of adolescents living in a shelter. The limitations presented are examples of the aspects that are essential to achieving a correct evaluation and application of animal assisted therapy in support of cognitive behavioral therapy. It is concluded that although animal assisted therapy is an appropriate intervention for certain populations, cost-benefit analysis should be considered in the process

Terapia asistida con perros en pacientes con demencia y SPCd institucional en el centro residenciales de Toledo, España / No disponible

Los síntomas psicológicos y conductuales de la demencia (SPCD) generan un sufrimiento sobreañadido en el anciano y en el cuidador, agravan el deterioro cognitivo y funcional y precipitan la institucionalización del anciano (1,2). En los últimos años se ha investigado acerca de La Terapia Asistida con Animales de Compañía (TAAC) como terapia no farmacológica para el control dichos síntomas, demostrando ser una buena alternativa coste- efectiva para el tratamiento. El presente estudio valora la efectividad de la terapia para el control de síntomas conductuales en pacientes con Demencia institucionalizados. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico, de manera simultánea en 2 residencias de la Provincia de Toledo, con un total de 36 pacientes, 24 con deterioro cognitivo moderado-severo y SPCD, y 12 pacientes sin demencia con trastornos afectivos. De forma aleatorizada se distribuyeron los pacientes con demencia en un grupo de intervención con TAAC (12) y un grupo control sin TAAC (12), además del grupo de sanos (12). La intervención consistía en 16 sesiones, 2 sesiones cada semana de 35 minutos de duración. La medición se realizó con las escalas de MMSE, Barthel Modificado, Cornell, Quality Scale, NPI y MOPI, antes de iniciar las terapias y al finalizar las sesiones. La terapia asistida con animales resultó eficaz tras reducir agitación y agresividad según la puntuación de NPI (P0.004) y mejoró la calidad de vida según la escala Quality of Life (P 0,004), de los pacientes con TAAC

The psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia (SPCD) generate additional suffering in the elderly and caregiver, exacerbate cognitive and functional impairment and precipitate the institutionalization of the elderly (1,2). In recent years, research has been conducted in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) as a non-drug therapy to control the symptoms, proving to be a good cost-effective alternative for treatment. Our study aims to assess the effectiveness of therapy to control behavioral symptoms [RR1] in institutionalized patients with dementia. A prospective multicenter study is performed simultaneously at two residences in the province of Toledo, with a total of 36 patients, 24 with moderate-severe cognitive impairment and SPCD, and 12 patients without dementia and affective disorders. Dementia patients were randomly divided into an intervention group with TAAC (12) and a control group without AAT (12), besides the healthy group (12). The intervention consisted of 16 sessions, 2 sessions per week for 35 minutes in duration. The measurement was performed with MMSE scales, Modified Barthel, Cornell, Quality Scale, NPI and MOPI before starting the therapies and at the end of the sessions. The animal-assisted therapy was effective after reducing agitation and aggressiveness according to an NPI score (P0.004) and improved quality of life according to the Quality of Life Scale (P 0.004), for the patients with AAT

Intervenciones asistidas por animales en neurorrehabilitación: una revisión de la literatura más reciente / Animal assisted interventions in neurorehabilitation: A review of the most recent literature

Introducción: Aunque siempre se ha afirmado el valor de los animales en la promoción del bienestar y la salud del ser humano, solo recientemente su papel terapéutico en medicina se ha convertido en el foco de investigación especializada. Las intervenciones asistidas poranimales pueden dividirse en actividades asistidas por animales, terapia asistida por animales y programas de animales de servicio. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar las publicaciones realizadas entre 2001 y 2012 en las revistas médicas más importantes, relacionadas con el campo de la rehabilitación de las enfermedades neurológicas, y discutir estos hallazgos a la luz de lo que pueda ser de interés para la neurología. Discusión: Se seleccionaron un total de 23 artículos de intervenciones en el campo de la parálisis cerebral infantil, trastornos generalizados del desarrollo, esclerosis múltiple, lesión medular, accidente cerebrovascular y trastornos mentales. Los principales resultados terapéuticos fueron: mejoría en la Gross Motor Function y en el manejo del miembro superior (parálisis cerebral infantil); aumento de la socialización y el contacto con el medio ambiente, reducción del estrés y la ansiedad y sentimientos de soledad (trastornos generalizados del desarrollo y trastornos mentales); disminución de la espasticidad y mejoría del equilibrio (esclerosis múltiple, lesión medular, accidente cerebrovascular). Conclusiones: Estas intervenciones asistidas con un tipo de animales muy limitado utilizadas en grupos clínicos neurológicos muy específicos muestran cada vez más pruebas científicas, como método complementario a otras terapias ya existentes. En estas enfermedades, se necesitan más estudios de alta calidad metodológica que permitan definir los programas más apropiados para la aplicación terapéutica

Introduction: While conventional wisdom has always affirmed the value of animals in promoting human health and well-being, only recently has their therapeutic role in medicine become a topic for dedicated research. Animal assisted interventions (AAI) can be classified as animal-assisted activities, animal-assisted therapy, and service animal programs. Objective: The aim of this review is to analyse original papers addressing AAI and neurological diseases and published in the most influential medical journals between 2001 and 2012, and discuss their findings in the light of what may be of interest in the field of neurology.Discussion: We selected a total of 23 articles on neurorehabilitation in cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental disorders, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and mental disorders. The main therapeutic results were improvement on the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale and in upper limb dexterity (cerebral palsy); improvement in social functioning and interaction; reductions in stress, anxiety, and loneliness (pervasive developmental disorders andmental disorders); and decreased spasticity with improved balance (multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke). Conclusion: These interventions, performed with highly specialised animals in very specific neurological populations, deliver an increasing body of scientific evidence suggesting that theyare an effective complement to other existing therapies. In these diseases, further high-quality studies are warranted in order to define the most appropriate programmes for therapy

Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic literature review.

The inclusion of animals in therapeutic activities, known as animal-assisted intervention (AAI), has been suggested as a treatment practice for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper presents a systematic review of the empirical research on AAI for ASD. Fourteen studies published in peer-reviewed journals qualified for inclusion. The presentation of AAI was highly variable across the studies. Reported outcomes included improvements for multiple areas of functioning known to be impaired in ASD, namely increased social interaction and communication as well as decreased problem behaviors, autistic severity, and stress. Yet despite unanimously positive outcomes, most studies were limited by many methodological weaknesses. This review demonstrates that there is preliminary "proof of concept" of AAI for ASD and highlights the need for further, more rigorous research.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a disease of canine and feline brain aging.

Brain aging is a degenerative process manifest by impairment of cognitive function; although not all pets are affected at the same level, once cognitive decline begins it is generally a progressive disorder. Diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is based on recognition of behavioral signs and exclusion of other medical causes that might mimic CDS or complicate its diagnosis. Drugs, diets, and supplements are now available that might slow CDS progression by various mechanisms including reducing oxidative stress and inflammation or improving mitochondrial and neuronal function. Moreover, available therapeutics may provide some level of improvement in cognitive and clinical signs of CDS.

[Animal assisted therapy in a long-term care nursing home]. / Zoothérapie dans un Centre de long séjour.

Animal assisted therapy sessions have been set up at the Bellevaux nursing home in Besançon. The project has required a number of specific procedures and training courses to be put in place as well as the involvement of different departments. The sessions give real pleasure to the residents and produce interesting results.

That dog is smarter than you know: advances in understanding canine learning, memory, and cognition.

Tests of canine cognition are now receiving much deserved attention. Not only are dogs excellent models for human anxiety-related conditions and those involving brain aging, but how dogs learn and problem solve are interesting stand-alone topics. A number of factors can affect learning at the molecular level including stress or distress, factors that affect olfaction, effects of breed and nutritional factors including that may affect available brain energy. This review provides an overview of how these factors may affect baseline learning and brain aging.

The effect of animal-assisted activity on inpatients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of animal-assisted activity on self-esteem, control over activities of daily living, and other psycho-physiological aspects among Taiwanese inpatients with schizophrenia. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group. A weekly animal-assisted activity program was arranged for patients in the treatment group for 2 months. A questionnaire assessing self-esteem, self-determination, social support, and psychiatric symptoms was completed the week before and the week after the animal-assisted activity. Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed significant improvement on all measures except for social support and negative psychiatric symptoms. The results of this study showed that animal-assisted activity can promote significant improvements in many clinical aspects among inpatients with schizophrenia. Therefore, animal-assisted activity should be integrated into the treatment of institutionalized patients with schizophrenia.

Improvement of short-term memory performance in aged beagles by a nutraceutical supplement containing phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and pyridoxine.

Aged dogs demonstrate cognitive decline that is linked to brain aging. The purpose of the present study was to examine if a commercially available nutraceutical supplement that may be neuroprotective and contains phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and pyridoxine could improve cognitive function in aged beagles. Nine aged beagles were tested on performance on a delayed-non-matching-to-position task, which is a neuropsychological test of short-term visuospatial memory. All subjects were tested on 5 baseline sessions; then, to assess the supplement, a crossover design was used in which 1 group received the supplement and the other a control substance in the 1st phase, with treatment conditions being reversed in the 2nd phase. Performance accuracy was significantly improved in supplemented dogs compared with control dogs and the effect was long lasting. These findings suggest that the nutraceutical supplement can improve memory in aged dogs.

Use of animal-assisted therapy in the rehabilitation of an assault victim with a concurrent mood disorder.

Multidisciplinary mental health rehabilitation settings often encounter patients with complex comorbid medical and psychiatric issues that require integrative, multifaceted treatment strategies. Although medication and psychotherapy are typical treatment mainstays, a broader variety of therapeutic options are available, including animal-assisted therapy. Here we describe a patient who received animal-assisted therapy as a psychiatric rehabilitation tool to ameliorate his atypical depression following an assault and subsequent head injury. A review of the relevant literature highlights the therapeutic potential of animal-assisted therapy to restore and maintain patient independence and level of functioning, both of which are key treatment goals.