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Dognition : the effect of pet ownership on cognition in older adults
| Contributor(s):: Molly McSweeney
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of pet ownership on cognition in older adults. Previous research has indicated that interactions with pets are associated with improved mental and physical health in humans. We predicted that these benefits of human-pet interactions...
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The Dog in the Middle Ages
| Contributor(s):: Luisa Barbano
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The State of Research on Human–Animal Relations: Implications for Human Health
| Contributor(s):: Deborah L. Wells
Since the late 1970s, scientific evidence has accumulated showing that pet ownership can have positive effects on people’s physical and mental wellbeing. This paper reviews the current state of affairs regarding the relationship between companion animals and human health, focusing on both...
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Understanding how dogs encourage and motivate walking: cross-sectional findings from RESIDE
| Contributor(s):: Carri Westgarth, M. Knuiman, H. E. Christian
Background: Many people live with dogs but not all walk with them regularly. This study examines the demographic and behavioural factors that contribute towards owners reporting having a strong sense of encouragement and motivation to walk provided by their dogs, which we call ‘the Lassie...
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Talking to Dogs: Companion Animal-Directed Speech in a Stress Test
| Contributor(s):: Raffaela Lesch, Kurt Kotrschal, Iris Schöberl, Andrea Beetz, Judith Solomon, W. Tecumseh Fitch
Companion animal-directed speech (CADS) has previously been investigated in comparison to infant-directed speech and adult-directed speech. To investigate the influence of owner caregiving, attachment pattern, and personality on CADS, we used the Ainsworth strange situation procedure. It...
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Contexts and consequences of dog bite incidents
| Contributor(s):: James Andrew Oxley, Rob Christley, Carri Westgarth
Dog bites are a contentious issue within the United Kingdom due to their effect on public health and increasing incidence. Despite multiple expert-led dog bite prevention schemes being available, there is limited evidence regarding the surrounding factors and likely causes of a dog bite (e.g.,...
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Evaluation of an open source method for calculating physical activity in dogs from harness and collar based sensors
| Contributor(s):: Carri Westgarth, C. Ladha
Background: The ability to make objective measurements of physical activity in dogs has both clinical and research applications. Accelerometers offer a non-intrusive and convenient solution. Of the commercialy available sensors, measurements are commonly given in manufacturer bespoke units and...
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How many people have been bitten by dogs? A cross-sectional survey of prevalence, incidence and factors associated with dog bites in a UK community
| Contributor(s):: Carri Westgarth, Megan Brooke, Robert M Christley
Background Dog bite studies are typically based on hospital records and may be biased towards bites requiring significant medical treatment. This study investigated true dog bite prevalence and incidence at a community-level and victim-related risk factors, in order to inform policy and...
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Human Animal Bond Association: The Bond Bulletin (Volume 43, Summer 2018)
HAB Certification, p3 Learning Center, p4 In the Trenches, p5 Anthrozoology and Veterinary Medicine, p6 Community Spotlight, p7
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Portion size and meal consumption in domesticated dogs: An experimental study
| Contributor(s):: Inge Kersbergen, Alexander J. German, Carri Westgarth, Eric Robinson
Increases in food portion sizes have been identified as a possible contributor to the increased prevalence of obesity in humans. However, little is known about the origin of behavioural tendencies to overeat from larger portion sizes or whether other non-human animals are affected by meal...
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Dog owners are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than people without a dog: An investigation of the association between dog ownership and physical activity levels in a UK community
| Contributor(s):: Carri Westgarth, Robert M. Christley, Christopher Jewell, Alexander J.German, Lynne M. Boddy, Hayley E. Christian
Previous research suggests that dog owners are slightly more physically active than those without dogs, but have only studied one household member, and it is unclear whether time spent dog walking replaces other physical activity (PA). A survey of 191 dog owning adults (DO), 455 non-dog owning...
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Evidence of large genetic influences on dog ownership in the Swedish Twin Registry has implications for understanding domestication and health associations
| Contributor(s):: Tove Fall, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Keith Dobney, Carri Westgarth, Patrik K. E. Magnusson
Dogs were the first domesticated animal and, according to the archaeological evidence, have had a close relationship with humans for at least 15,000 years. Today, dogs are common pets in our society and have been linked to increased well-being and improved health outcomes in their owners. A dog...
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Leaner, Healthier, Happier Together––A Family-Centred Approach to Weight Loss with the Overweight Dog and Her Caregivers
| Contributor(s):: Alessia Candellone, David Morgan, Simona Buttignol, Giorgia Meineri
Obesity represents a one of the most significant healthcare issues facing human and companion animal populations worldwide. A complex relationship commonly exists between owners and their companion animal, particularly around feeding behaviour. Obese companion animals commonly live alongside...
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Identification of Meat Species in Pet Foods Using a Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Assay
| Contributor(s):: Tara A. Okuma, Rosalee S. Hellberg
Product mislabeling, adulteration, and substitution are increasing concerns in highly processed foods, including pet foods. Although regulations exist for pet foods, there is currently a lack of information on the prevalence of pet food mislabeling. The objective of this study was to perform a...
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Dogs & Society: Anglo-American Sociological Perspectives (1865-1934)
| Contributor(s):: Michael R. Hill, Mary Jo Deegan
HUMANS AND DOGS have a long, wonderful and sometimes problematic association. At a personal level, dogs have been integral to our lives, and our parents’ lives, for as long as the two of us can remember. As sociologists, we also recognize that dogs are important at the macro level. Here,...
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Effect of Pets on Human Behavior and Stress in Disaster
| Contributor(s):: Aki Tanaka, Jun Saeki, Shin-ichi Hayama, Philip H. Kass
Animal-related consequences were not anticipated in disaster preparedness planning in Japan at the time of its massive earthquakes in 2011. Evacuation failure was quite common due to pet ownership in this disaster. Public attention to the welfare of affected animals in this disaster triggered an...
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Small Pilot Survey on Parents' Perception of the Relationship between Children and Pets
| Contributor(s):: Natalia Russo, Diana Vergnano, Domenico Bergero, Liviana Prola
Since companion animals are taking on more important roles in family life, the aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of parents about the relationship between their children and pets. A number of parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire; the principal topics were: pet ownership,...
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Zen and the Art of Training Your Dog
| Contributor(s):: Kenny Lamberti
Ditch the rulebook and follow your instincts when teaching your dog
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Medical Updates and Appointment Confirmations: Pet Owners' Perceptions of Current Practices and Preferences
| Contributor(s):: Lori Kogan, Regina Schoenfeld, Stacee Santi
Pet ownership is increasing, in large part due to the number of millennial pet owners. More pet owners as well as the advent of extensive veterinary care options have resulted in a substantial increase in veterinary care spending. Yet, regardless of client cohort or type of medical procedure...
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Grief severity: A comparison between human and companion animal death
| Contributor(s):: Lavorgna, B. F., Hutton, V. E.
Grief severity was investigated and compared amongst 50 participants aged 18 to 65 years who had experienced the death of a human (n = 35) or the death of a companion animal (n = 15). Participants were recruited in Australia and completed an on-line self-report questionnaire package, measuring...
