Acta Vet. Brno 2026, 95: 195-204
https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202695020195
Effects of work duration, environment, and experience on stress-related dog behaviours in canine-assisted therapy
References
1. N, Guo K, Wilkinson A, Resende B, Mills DS 2018: Mouth-licking by dogs as a response to emotional stimuli. Behav Process 146: 42-45
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2017.11.006>
2. B, Schilder MBH, Van Hooff JARAM, De Vries HW 1997: Manifestations of chronic and acute stress in dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 52: 307-319
<https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01131-8>
3. B, Schilder MBH, Van Hooff JARAM, De Vries HW, Mol JA 1999: Chronic stress in dogs subjected to social and spatial restriction. I. Behavioral responses. Physiol Behav 66: 233-242
<https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9384(98)00289-3>
4. B, Schilder MBH, Van Hooff JARAM, De Vries HW, Mol JA 2000: Behavioural and hormonal indicators of enduring environmental stress in dogs. Anim Welfare 9: 49-62
<https://doi.org/10.1017/S0962728600022247>
5. S, Townsend R 2021: The role of connection in the efficacy of animal-assisted therapies: A scoping review. Aotearoa N Z Soc Work 33: 34-47
<https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol33iss3id891>
6. E, Normando S, Bono G 2009: Stress assessment in rescue dogs during routine training sessions. J Vet Behav 4: 83
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2008.09.053>
7. C, Stangler T, Narveson J, Pettingell S 2009: Animal-assisted therapy as a pain relief intervention for children. Complement Ther Clin Pract 15: 105-109
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.02.008>
8. A, Sutter NA, Würbel H, Mills DS, Riemer S 2019: Differences in facial expressions during positive anticipation and frustration in dogs awaiting a reward. Sci Rep 9: 19312
<https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55714-6>
9. SD, Martin F, McGowan RTS, Smidt JM, Anderson R, Wang L, Turpin T, Langenfeld-McCoy N, Bauer BA, Mohabbat AB 2020: Physiological state of therapy dogs during animal-assisted activities in an outpatient setting. Animals 10: 819
<https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050819>
10. CL, Grandin T, Enns RM 2006: Human interaction and cortisol: Can human contact reduce stress for shelter dogs? Physiol Behav 87: 537-541
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.12.001>
11. S, Ferrara M, Natoli E 2019: Evaluating stress in dogs involved in animal-assisted interventions. Animals 9: 833
<https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9100833>
12. BC, Palestrini C, Buttram D, Cannas S 2025: Stress and burnout in dogs involved in animal assisted interventions: A survey of Italian handlers’ opinion. J Vet Behav 78: 63-69
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2025.02.006>
13. E, Martineau M, Boissy A, Gilbert C 2017: Behavioral and physiological reactions in dogs to a veterinary examination: Owner-dog interactions improve canine well-being. Physiol Behav 177: 270-281
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.05.013>
14. E, Mehinagic E 2020: Where do we stand in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) positive-emotion assessment: A state-of-the-art review and future directions. Front Psychol 11: 2131
<https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02131>
15. T, van der Steen S, Enders-Slegers MJ, Griffioen R, Haverbeke A, Groenewoud D, Hediger K 2024: Observational behaviors and emotions to assess welfare of dogs: A systematic review. J Vet Behav 72: 1-17
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.12.007>
16. NA, Granger DA 2005: Physiological and behavioral reactivity to stress in thunderstorm-phobic dogs and their caregivers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 95: 153-168
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2005.04.009>
17. JL, Nicol CJ, Clark CCA, Paul ES 2012: Measuring empathic responses in animals. Appl Anim Behav Sci 138: 182-193
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2012.02.006>
18. AH, Beck AM, Ng Z 2019: The state of animal-assisted interventions: Addressing the contemporary issues that will shape the future. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 16: 3997
19. HE, Weller JE, Parry-Howells N, Ellerby ZW, McKay SL, King T 2024: Evaluation of indicators of acute emotional states in dogs. Sci Rep 14: 6460
20. CA, Keehner JR, Hervé-Claude LP, Stephen C 2021: Health promotion and harm reduction attributes in one health literature: A scoping review. One Health 13: 100284
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100284>
21. LM 2017: Current perspectives on therapy dog welfare in animal-assisted interventions. Animals 7: 7
<https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7020007>
22. LM, Foltin S 2021: Therapy dog welfare revisited: A review of the literature. Vet Sci 8: 226
23. C, Randle H, Pearson G, Preshaw L, Waran N 2018: Assessing equine emotional state. Appl Anim Behav Sci 205: 183-193
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.03.006>
24. DK, Kirchengast S 2006: Physiological arousal for companion dogs working with their owners in animal-assistes activities and animal-assisted therapy. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 9: 165-172
<https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327604jaws0902_5>
25. DK, Kirchengast S 2007: Dog handlers’ and dogs’ emotional and cortisol secretion responses associated with animal-assisted therapy sessions. Soc Anim 15: 127-150
<https://doi.org/10.1163/156853007X187090>
26. D, Möstl E, Kirchengast S 2005: Cortisol concentrations in saliva of humans and their dogs during intensive training courses in animal-assisted therapy. Wien Tierärztl Mschr 92: 66-73
27. A, Diederich C, Depiereux E, Giffroy JM 2008: Cortisol and behavioral responses of working dogs to environmental challenges. Physiol Behav 93: 59-67
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.07.014>
28. K, Meisser A, Zinsstag J 2019: A one health research framework for animal-assisted interventions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16: 640
<https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040640>
29. EF, Rooney NJ, Bradshaw JWS 2006: Behavioural and physiological responses of dogs entering re-homing kennels. Physiol Behav 89: 385-391
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.07.012>
30. J, Nitzschner M 2013: Do dogs get the point? A review of dog-human communication ability. Learn Motiv 44: 294-302
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2013.05.001>
31. IA, Ganina KK, Karelina EA, Tarasov SA 2021: How to evaluate and manage stress in dogs – A guide for veterinary specialist. Appl Anim Behav Sci 243: 105458
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105458>
32. C, Watters J, Mungre S 2011: Effect of a time-out session with working animal assisted therapy dogs. J Vet Behav 6: 232-238
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.01.007>
33. L, Lakomá T, Vacušková Z, Vacuška D, Večerek V, Voslářová E 2025: Behavioural and physiological response to routine husbandry procedures in Wallachian sheep. Acta Vet Brno 94: 35-42
<https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202594010035>
34. F, Hößler J, Struwe R 2012: Effects of human-dog familiarity on dogs’ behavioural responses to petting. Appl Anim Behav Sci 142: 176-181
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2012.10.003>
35. L, Normando S, Siliprandi C, Salvadoretti M, Mongillo P 2009: Dog assisted interventions in a specialized centre and potential concerns for animal welfare. Vet Res Commun 33: 93-95
<https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-009-9256-x>
36. C, Gazzano A, Moore JL, Baragli P, Chelli L, Sighieri C 2012: Perception of dogs’ stress by their owners. J Vet Behav 7: 213-219
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.09.004>
37. A, Jenkins MA, Rerhrdanz A, Gilmer MJ, Olson J, Pawar A, Holley L, Sierra Rivera S, Linder DE, Pichette D, Grossman NJ, Hellman C, Guérin NA, O´Haire ME 2018: Physiological and behavioral effects of animal-assisted interventions on therapy dogs in pediatric onkology settings. Appl Anim Behav Sci 200: 86-95
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2017.11.014>
38. LF, Santaniello A, Todisco M, Amato A, Borrelli L, Scandurra C, Fioretti A 2019: The human-animal relationship as the focus of animal-assisted interventions: A one health approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health 16: 3360
<https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193660>
39. ZY, Pierce BJ, Otto CM, Buechner-Maxwell VA, Siracusa C, Werre SR 2014: The effect of dog-human interaction on cortisol and behavior in registered animal-assisted activity dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 159: 69-81
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.07.009>
40. N, Kırmızıgül AH, Ayvazoğlu C, Yalçın H 2025: Variation of pre-and post-race cardiac troponin concentrations in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses. Acta Vet Brno 94: 97-103
<https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202594020097>
41. C, Calcaterra V, Cannas S, Talamonti Z, Papotti F, Buttram D, Pelizzo G 2017: Stress level evaluation in a dog during animal-assisted therapy in pediatric surgery. J Vet Behav 17: 44-49
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2016.09.003>
42. LS, O´Rourke PP, Niemi S 2010: Mainstreaming animal-assisted therapy. ILAR J 51: 199-207
<https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar.51.3.199>
43. C, Marshall-Pescini S, Merola I, Palestrini C, Previde EP 2013: Different problem-solving strategies in dogs diagnosed with anxiety-related disorders and control dogs in an unsolvable task paradigm. Appl Anim Behav Sci 147: 139-148
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.05.003>
44. C, Pirrone F, Balzarotti F, Faustini M, Pierantoni L, Albertini M 2011: Evaluation of physiological and behavioral stress-dependent parameters in agility dogs. J Vet Behav 6: 188-194
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2011.01.001>
45. T, Keeling LJ 2011: The effect of time left alone at home on dog welfare. Appl Anim Behav Sci 129: 129-135
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2010.11.015>
46. NJ, Gaines SA, Bradshaw JWS 2007: Behavioural and glucocorticoid responses of dogs (Canis familiaris) to kennelling: Investigating mitigation of stress by prior habituation. Physiol Behav 92: 847-854
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.06.011>
47. MBH, van der Borg JAM 2004: Training dogs with help of the shock collar: Short and long term behavioural effects. Appl Anim Behav Sci 85: 319-334
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.10.004>
48. M, Kadlecová G, Voslářová E, Večerek V 2025: Assessment of acute stress in alpacas (Vicugna pacos): A pilot study using salivary cortisol and infrared thermography. Acta Vet Brno 94: 223-230
<https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202594030223>
49. MH, Ruffman T 2014: Emotional contagion: Dogs and humans show a similar physiological response to human infant crying. Behav Process 108: 155-165
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2014.10.006>
50. EA, Meers LL, Samuels WE, Boonen D, Claus A, Duarte-Gan C, Stevens V, Contalbrigo L, Normando S 2024: Human-dog communication: How body language and non-verbal cues are key to clarity in dog directed play, petting and hugging behaviour by humans. Appl Anim Behav Sci 272: 106206
<https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106206>
