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Dog Ownership and Training Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Increases Self-Compassion Among Veterans: Results of a Longitudinal Control Study
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Objectives: The aims of this study were to measure the potential impact of a therapeutic dog ownership and training program for Veterans with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Design: The study used a quasi-experimental design with two cohorts of Veterans-a dog owner-trainer intervention and a...
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Welfare Impacts of Spay/Neuter-Focused Outreach on Companion Animals in New York City Public Housing
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Spay/neuter (S/N) programs aim to reduce shelter intake and euthanasia. However, there is little published evidence of a causal effect between S/N programs and shelter intake or euthanasia. To uncover any ancillary effects of S/N, this study examined the impact of S/N door-to-door outreach on...
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US Residents’ Perceptions of Dog Welfare Needs and Canine Welfare Information Sources
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
The extent to which welfare needs of breeding dogs are met in commercial dog-breeding kennels is a potential point of controversy. This analysis sought to understand US residents’ perceptions and priorities related to dog welfare : by investigating (a) perceptions of breeding-dog welfare needs...
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A Survey of Dog Owners’ Attitudes toward Treats
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Commercially available dog treats have become very popular and a common part of the pet’s diet, yet very little is known about peoples’ opinions and feeding habits; therefore, a survey was shared on a popular social network.Most of the self-selected interviewed owners (n = 1833, 83%) use treats...
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Safewalk: Improving Enrichment and Adoption Rates for Shelter Dogs by Changing Human Behavior
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Shelter dogs are typically cared for by staff and volunteers. At the Boston location of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, prior to 2009, any member of the public who was older than 16 years of age and attended 1 orientation could walk dogs available for adoption....
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Residents’ Management of, and Attitudes Towards, the Dog Population on Two Mariana Islands
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
This study reports the level of care dogs received from their caretakers and the attitudes of caretakers and non-caretakers toward dogs on the islands of Guam and Saipan. Surveys were collected from residents of Guam and Saipan (274 and 275, respectively) and analyzed using chi-squared tests....
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Puppy Temperament Assessments Predict Breed and American Kennel Club Group but Not Adult Temperament
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Puppy assessments for companion dogs have shown mixed long-term reliability. Temperament is cited among the reasons for surrendering dogs to shelters. A puppy temperament test that reliably predicts adult behavior is one potential way to lower the number of dogs given to shelters. This study used...
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Investigation of Physiological and Behavioral Responses in Dogs Participating in Animal-Assisted Therapy with Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
This study evaluated the impact that participation in sessions with children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has on therapy dogs. Nine certified therapy dogs were paired for 6 sessions with groups of 3–4 children. Sessions consisted of 5 different activities. Activities 1 and...
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Impacts of Encouraging Dog Walking on Returns of Newly Adopted Dogs to a Shelter
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
This study involved examining the ability of a postadoption intervention to reduce returns of newly adopted dogs to shelters by encouraging physical activity between adopters and their dogs. Guardians in the intervention group received emails with dog behavior and human activity advice as well as...
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Impact of mandatory microchipping on traceability of sheltered dogs in the Czech Republic
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Records of 4,455 sheltered dogs were analyzed to compare the numbers of traceable (able to be reunited with original caregivers) and untraceable (unable to be reunited with original caregivers) dogs before (Period 1) and after (Period 2) introduction of a mandatory microchipping. Records were...
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Guardians' Perceptions of Dogs' Welfare and Behaviors Related to Visiting the Veterinary Clinic
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
A large survey of Italian dog guardians (n = 906) was conducted to assess dog behavior and welfare at the veterinary clinic and to investigate how guardians and veterinarians affect them. This study confirmed that the veterinary clinic is a source of stress for most dogs, who showed impaired...
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An Estimate of the Number of Dogs in US Shelters in 2015 and the Factors Affecting Their Fate
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
The objective of this study was to estimate the total number of shelters in the United States; estimate the number of dogs entering US shelters annually; determine what happens to the dogs that enter shelters; and identify the characteristics of shelters affecting the outcome of the dogs in their...
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Effects of Video Footage Versus Photographs on Perception of Dog Behavioral Traits
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Photographs are frequently used to promote adoption of dogs on rescue shelter websites. While physical traits are well illustrated via photographs, conveying a dog's behavioral traits is more problematic. Traits such as sociability, obedience, and friendliness are likely to be better displayed...
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Effect of Visitor Perspective on Adoption Decisions at One Animal Shelter
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
This study investigated the visitor experience at one urban animal shelter. While several previous studies have examined the reasons particular nonhuman animals are chosen by adopters, few have investigated the possible reasons one would visit a shelter and leave without adopting. Over a...
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Anthrozoology in Action: Performing Cognitive Training Paths in a Garden Shelter to Make Dogs More Suitable as Pets
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
The overpopulation of shelters and the increase of homeless dogs have become serious problems in many countries. One contributor to the number of both sheltered and homeless dogs is the abandonment and relinquishment of pet dogs by their owners for different reasons – in many cases depending on...
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Analysis of Dog Adoption Success and Failure Using Surveys With Vignettes
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Adoption success of dogs who serve as companion animals was analyzed via surveys with vignettes. The researchers administered surveys with vignettes to animal shelter employees, veterinarians, and other animal-care professionals in Eastern North Carolina. Logistic and linear regression analyses...
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Ability of the Public to Recognize Dogs Considered to Be Dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act in the United Kingdom
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Canine aggression came into the public eye in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s prompting enactment of the UK Dangerous Dogs Act , which prohibits four breeds or “types” of dogs. The act faced strong opposition surrounding correct identification of prohibited dogs. A questionnaire was...
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Abandonment of Dogs and Cats: Public Opinions as Population Management Indicators
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
This study involved characterizing public opinions on selected issues related to the abandonment of dogs and cats in Votorantim, São Paulo, Brazil. This goal was achieved by applying multiple correspondence analysis to answers recorded in questionnaires of a population-based survey. The results...
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The Effects of Dogs on Learning: A Meta-Analysis
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Integrating dogs into learning environments is becoming more prevalent as growing evidence demonstrates positive benefits of dogs on human functioning. To date, there is no known quantitative review of research that specifically investigates the impacts of dogs within school/classroom...
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Effects of Human–Dog Interactions on Salivary Oxytocin Concentrations and Heart Rate Variability: A Four-Condition Cross-Over Trial
Contributor(s): Diane Lefebvre, Claire Diederich, Madeleine Delcourt, Jean-Marie Giffroy
Dog ownership is often advocated for its potential benefits to human health, with changes to oxytocin and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity proposed as possible underlying mechanisms. The aims of the current study were to a) examine the effect of two common types of human–dog interactions...
