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Therapeutic Benefits of Certified Canines for Veterans with War-Related Trauma Disorders
Theses | Contributor(s): Erin Caspers
This paper explored the therapeutic benefits of certified service canines for veterans with war-related trauma disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. A review of the literature was conducted, followed by a pilot study using interviews and thematic...
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Socialization and problem-solving in domestic cats (Felis catus)
Theses | Contributor(s): Mary Howard
There is evidence that an animal’s socialization towards humans and rearing environment can enhance their problem-solving ability. According to the social intelligence hypothesis, which states that intelligence evolved due to complex social environments, an animal’s social life...
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Equine Assisted Programs for Military Service Members: A Program Evaluation Using Importance-Performance Analysis
Theses | Contributor(s): Taylor Hooker
Developing research, anecdotal evidence and a growing focus on non-pharmacological interventions for veterans with post-traumatic stress support the use equine-therapy as a therapeutic outlet; however, programmatic factors that contribute to veteran’s desire to attend such programs are...
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Gender and leadership in animal sheltering organizations
Theses | Contributor(s): Jennifer Blevins Sinski
This study explores the connection between gender, leadership and implementation of best practice strategies to reduce or eliminate euthanasia of healthy, adoptable companion animals in animal sheltering organizations. The purpose of this mixed methods study utilizing an online survey and...
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Canine for Disabled Kids Awareness Campaign Research and Implementation Plan
Theses | Contributor(s): Jiamin Gu, Kendall Harcourt, Chang Liu, Kiamu Liu, Jemmie Tejada
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service animals are: “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities” ( ADA, 2015). On the other hand, emotional support animals are: “dogs that provide comfort and support in...
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Animals Are Us: Applying the Common Ingroup Identity Model to Humane Education
Theses | Contributor(s): Boguslawa Dorota Gatarek
This study explored the applicability of the Common Ingroup Identity Model (CIIM), used widely for combating racism, to Humane Education. It credits social categorization with both reducing and creating intergroup bias. It postulates decategorization and recategorization as factors changing...
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«Det får frem mye følelser når man jobber med hester, synes jeg. Både triste og fine ting da» – En kvalitativ studie om tidligere stoffmisbrukeres erfaringer med rehabiliteringstiltaket dyreassisterte aktiviteter og veien mot økt livskvalitet
Theses | Contributor(s): Anne Maren Friestad
Dyreassisterte aktiviteter er et tverrfaglig tiltak som er brukt i sosialt arbeid for å støtte utsatte grupper. Hensikten med denne studien er å belyse hvordan stoffmisbrukere i rehabilitering kan oppleve dyreassisterte aktiviteter (DAA), og på hvilke måter dette...
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Catpanion: A UI/UX iOS-based App Design to support cat adoptions
Theses | Contributor(s): Chenchen Ji
Homeless and abandoned cats are becoming an issue in urban areas around the world: a majority of them may carry illnesses that may lead to infectious diseases. Once back in the wild, cats may also harm the ecological equilibrium of urban areas as they are known to be hunters of birds and...
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Estimation of Dog-bite Rates and Evaluation of Healthcare Seeking Behaviors following Dog Bite, Haiti
Theses | Contributor(s): Gabrielle Johnson, Gerardo Chowell
Background: Haiti has been identified as one of only several countries in the Western Hemisphere in which canine rabies control efforts have succeeded in eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths. In 2016, a study was conducted to test several alternative vaccination methods that may...
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Effects of Multi-Day Music Enrichment on Salivary Cortisol and Cage Behavior in Shelter Dogs
Theses | Contributor(s): Stacy D. Engerbretson
Rehoming shelters provide their animals with environmental enrichment with the expectation that modifying the physical space will improve kennel-related stress and subsequently abate undesirable behaviors. Although enrichment has shown moderate success at improving in-kennel behavior, increased...
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Urban Animals: GIS Analysis of Stray Canines and Felines in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Theses | Contributor(s): Courtney Brock
While human influence and progress has shaped the cityscape of Albuquerque, New Mexico, many stray animals also consider this city to be their home. Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department holds a human responsibility over these urban animals and their habitat displacement, requiring them...
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The Effects of the Human Voice on the Behavioral Indicators of Stress in Dogs Housed in an Animal Shelter
Theses | Contributor(s): Juliana M. Hypes
Animal shelters are very stressful environments for the animals housed there. Dogs that live in shelters have been observed exhibiting stress-related behavior such as barking, pacing, aggression and fear related behaviors such as cowering. Behaviors of this nature are off-putting to prospective...
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FUNDoggy: Using gamification and social network services to create a mobile fundraising application for helping shelter dogs
Theses | Contributor(s): Yu Ri Na
The proliferation of new media is rapidly changing the world of philanthropy and more effective methods of raising funds and developing donor relationships must be sought. Furthermore, today’s trends indicate that the amount of giving by individuals has increased gradually, but the...
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Design of a Canine Prosthesis for Front Limb Deformities
Theses | Contributor(s): Norma Bachman, Melanie Lasso, Oluwajomiloju Olaode, Elizabeth Walfield, Mushtaq Al Zuhairi
The current canine prosthesis market is catered towards dogs with amputations. Due to the variations in limb deformities, there is yet to be a customizable solution. Instead, the production of prostheses for deformities occurs on a ‘case-by-case’ basis and the products are tailored...
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Exploring Collaborations between Veterinarians & Rescues/Shelters
Theses | Contributor(s): Jacquie Cobb
A survey of private practice veterinarians in the Chicago area was conducted in an effort to pinpoint what constitutes a positive relationship between a veterinarian and a rescue group or shelter. The following research questions guided this project: From the perspective of veterinarians, what...
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Spatial and Behavioral Patterns of Captive Coyotes
Theses | Contributor(s): Jeffrey T. Schultz
Environmental enrichment is a technique used at many captive animal facilities that can improve the well-being of their animals. It seeks to enhance habitat features and promote natural behavior by providing a variety of practical ways for captive animals to control their environmental...
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Marketing Ideas that Could Improve Adoptions and Reduce Return Rates of Dogs in Shelters in the State of Michigan
Theses | Contributor(s): Marcy Wilhelm-South, Bryan Klemett
Dogs have always been something that attracts people’s attention. It is hard to decide whether it is their fur, their cuteness, or their personality that makes them lovable. The area I chose to conduct my research is in marketing. Since dogs are man’s best friend, what other better...
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The Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction on College Campuses
Theses | Contributor(s): Robert Michael Perry
The benefits of human-animal interactions has aroused the interests of many stakeholders in comparative psychology. Research has shown that humans are the principal beneficiaries. The main benefits include improved health; increased learning; improved moods; and reduction of stress....
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Barriers to Sustainable Hunting-Based Conservation of Elephants in Zimbabwe
Theses | Contributor(s): Jessica H. Cusworth
The international demand for ivory has devastated African elephant populations. In 2015, more elephants were poached for ivory than were born. Many countries have sought to decrease poaching pressures through ivory trade bans. However, Zimbabwe, home to the second largest African elephant...
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The Effectiveness of Animal Assisted Activity and Animal Assisted Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Depression
Theses | Contributor(s): Alexis J. Hauser
This paper reviews the use of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) to effectively treat individuals experiencing symptoms of depression. This paper discusses the symptoms of depression, the process and techniques of AAA and AAT, and the effectiveness of AAA and AAT...
