scholarly journals Effects of Olfactory and Auditory Enrichment on the Behaviour of Shelter Dogs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Amaya ◽  
Mandy B.A. Paterson ◽  
Clive J.C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Exit Door ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Increased Activity

Shelter environments are stressful for dogs, as they must cope with many stimuli over which they have little control. This can lead to behavioural changes, negatively affect their welfare and downgrade the human‐animal bond, affecting re-homing success. Arousal is evident in their behaviour, particularly increased activity and frequent vocalisation. Environmental enrichment plays an important role in reducing arousal behaviour, either through direct physiological effects or by masking stressful stimuli. The present study focused on sensory environmental enrichment, using olfactory and auditory stimuli under shelter conditions. Sixty dogs were allocated to one of four treatments: three types of enrichment, Lavender, Dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) and Music, and a Control group. Stimuli were applied for 3 h/d on five consecutive days. Dogs exposed to DAP lay down more, and those exposed to Music lay down more with their head down, compared to the Control. Those in the Control stood more on their hind legs with their front legs on the exit door, compared to those exposed to Music and DAP, particularly if they had only been in the shelter for a short time. They also panted and vocalised much more than dogs in the three enrichment treatments, which tended to persist during the 4 h period post treatment, and in the case of vocalisation into the subsequent night. The study suggests that all three enrichments had some positive benefits for dogs in shelters, as well as being non-invasive and easy to apply in the shelter environment.

scholarly journals Effects of Olfactory and Auditory Enrichment on Heart Rate Variability in Shelter Dogs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Amaya ◽  
Mandy B.A. Paterson ◽  
Kris Descovich ◽  
Clive J.C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Physiological Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Animal Shelters ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Shelter Dogs ◽  
Stressful Environments ◽  
Variability Data

Animal shelters can be stressful environments and time in care may affect individual dogs in negative ways, so it is important to try to reduce stress and arousal levels to improve welfare and chance of adoption. A key element of the stress response is the activation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and a non-invasive tool to measure this activity is heart rate variability (HRV). Physiologically, stress and arousal result in the production of corticosteroids, increased heart rate and decreased HRV. Environmental enrichment can help to reduce arousal related behaviours in dogs and this study focused on sensory environmental enrichment using olfactory and auditory stimuli with shelter dogs. The aim was to determine if these stimuli have a physiological effect on dogs and if this could be detected through HRV. Sixty dogs were allocated to one of three stimuli groups: lavender, dog appeasing pheromone and music or a control group, and usable heart rate variability data were obtained from 34 dogs. Stimuli were applied for 3 h a day on five consecutive days, with HRV recorded for 4 h (treatment period + 1 h post-treatment) on the 5th and last day of exposure to the stimuli by a Polar® heart rate monitor attached to the dog’s chest. HRV results suggest that music activates both branches of the ANS, which may be useful to relieve both the stress and boredom in shelter environments.

scholarly journals Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma K. Grigg ◽  
Lori R. Kogan
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Territorial Conflict ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Primary Hypothesis ◽  
Private Homes

Available research on the link between domestic cats’ environment and welfare has primarily been conducted in animal shelters or research facilities; a better understanding of the welfare of cats living in homes is needed. This study measured the attitudes of current U.S.-based cat owners towards cats as pets; owner knowledge about normal cat behavior and environmental needs; current trends in cat care; cats’ behavior in the home; and the human-animal bond. The primary hypothesis was that owners with a more accurate understanding of cat behavior and a stronger reported bond with their cats would report fewer behavior problems. Data from an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey of 547 cat owners supported the primary hypothesis: owner knowledge, along with two measures of the human-animal bond (owner-pet interactions, and perceptions of affordability of cat ownership), were significant predictors of the number of reported behavior problems. In addition to fewer reported behavior problems, greater owner knowledge about cats was correlated with less use of positive-punishment-based responses to misbehavior, and increased tolerance of potential behavior problems when present. Owners’ agreement with certain misconceptions about cats and perception of high costs of care were correlated with the use of positive punishment in response to misbehavior. Based on the survey results, many cats living in private homes may be receiving only minimal environmental enrichment. Collectively, these results suggest the need for better education of cat owners. Topics could include: understanding normal cat behavior and correcting misconceptions; enrichment needs (particularly of indoor-only cats) and the risk of behavior problems when cats’ needs are not met; welfare risks associated with declawing; and the importance of sufficient resources to minimize social and territorial conflict.

The Human-Animal Bond

2015 ◽  
pp. 80-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Serpell
Keyword(s):  
Social Engagement ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Social Bonds ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Physiological Effects ◽  
Ethical Concerns ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Animal Companionship ◽  
Human Animal

Social bonds between people and their pets are more popular than they have ever been. Yet archaeological and anthropological evidence suggests that human-pet bonds have existed throughout history, enduring despite their relative lack of practical utility or material value for humans and, in this sense, presenting a challenge to evolutionary theory. Citing abundant research, the chapter shows that the human-pet relationship should be regarded as “mutualistic,” conferring adaptive benefits on both participants For humans, animal companionship promotes social engagement and alleviates the debilitating mental and physiological effects of psychosocial stress. Animal-assisted therapeutic interventions for people with a variety of cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities are also becoming increasingly widespread. For animals, the human-animal bond has opened a new ecological niche and allowed dramatic increases in population size. However, the chapter also raises a number of ethical concerns related to animal welfare, public health, and environmental impact.

A Longitudinal Study of the Human-animal Bond as Described in Childrens' Literature

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara R. Staats ◽  
Elizabeth Caldwell ◽  
William Mcelhaney ◽  
Lance Garmon ◽  
Tyra Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal

Relationship between Invasive and Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Measures in Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Vicente Benavides-Córdoba ◽  
Mauricio Palacios Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Right Ventricle ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pearson Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Non Invasive

Introduction: Animal models have been used to understand the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension, to describe the mechanisms of action and to evaluate promising active ingredients. The monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension model is the most used animal model. In this model, invasive and non-invasive hemodynamic variables that resemble human measurements have been used. Aim: To define if non-invasive variables can predict hemodynamic measures in the monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension model. Materials and Methods: Twenty 6-week old male Wistar rats weighing between 250-300g from the bioterium of the Universidad del Valle (Cali - Colombia) were used in order to establish that the relationships between invasive and non-invasive variables are sustained in different conditions (healthy, hypertrophy and treated). The animals were organized into three groups, a control group who was given 0.9% saline solution subcutaneously (sc), a group with pulmonary hypertension induced with a single subcutaneous dose of Monocrotaline 30 mg/kg, and a group with pulmonary hypertension with 30 mg/kg of monocrotaline treated with Sildenafil. Right ventricle ejection fraction, heart rate, right ventricle systolic pressure and the extent of hypertrophy were measured. The functional relation between any two variables was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: It was found that all correlations were statistically significant (p <0.01). The strongest correlation was the inverse one between the RVEF and the Fulton index (r = -0.82). The Fulton index also had a strong correlation with the RVSP (r = 0.79). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the RVEF and the RVSP was -0.81, meaning that the higher the systolic pressure in the right ventricle, the lower the ejection fraction value. Heart rate was significantly correlated to the other three variables studied, although with relatively low correlation. Conclusion: The correlations obtained in this study indicate that the parameters evaluated in the research related to experimental pulmonary hypertension correlate adequately and that the measurements that are currently made are adequate and consistent with each other, that is, they have good predictive capacity.

Accident before Love

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon P. Holland
Keyword(s):  
Personal Reflection ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Historical Figure ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Historical Moment

Holland’s essay is part theory, part personal reflection, and thoroughly poetic in its engagement with Dave the Potter as both a historical figure, to be read and reflected upon, and as a provocation to interrogate the boundaries of our own historical moment. Holland’s brief essay touches on historical appropriation and the porosity of the human-animal bond. The essay begins by enclosing its writer within a typically anonymous space of academic prose, but then moves beyond academic conventions to perform transformations associated with Dave the Potter, whose troubling of the boundaries between life and death, human and animal Holland elucidates, examines, and contextualizes.

EXPRESS: Altering the rehabilitation environment to improve stroke survivor activity (AREISSA): a Phase II trial.

2021 ◽  
pp. 174749302110069
Author(s):  
Heidi Janssen ◽  
Louise Ada ◽  
Sandy Middleton ◽  
Michael Pollack ◽  
Michael Nilsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Stroke Survivor ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration

Background: Environmental enrichment involves organisation of the environment and provision of equipment to facilitate engagement in physical, cognitive and social activity. In animals with stroke, it promotes brain plasticity and recovery. Aims: To assess the feasibility and safety of a patient-driven model of environmental enrichment incorporating access to communal and individual environmental enrichment. Methods: A non-randomised cluster trial with blinded measurement involving people with stroke (n=193) in 4 rehabilitation units was carried out. Feasibility was operationalised as activity 10 days after admission to rehabilitation and availability of environmental enrichment. Safety was measured as falls and serious adverse events. Benefit was measured as clinical outcomes at 3 months, by an assessor blinded to group. Results: The experimental group (n=91) spent 7% (95% CI -14 to 0) less time inactive, 9% (95% CI 0 to 19) more time physically, and 6% (95% CI 2 to 10) more time socially active than the control group (n=102). Communal environmental enrichment was available 100% of the time, but individual environmental enrichment was rarely within reach (24%) or sight (39%). There were no between-group differences in serious adverse events or falls at discharge or 3 months nor in clinical outcomes at 3 months. Conclusions: This patient-driven model of environmental enrichment was feasible and safe. However, the very modest increase in activity by people with stroke, and the lack of benefit in clinical outcomes 3 months after stroke do not provide justification for an efficacy trial. Clinical Trial Registration: ANZCTR 12613000796785 Words: 245

Alteration of intrapancreatic serotonin, homocysteine, TNF-α, and NGF levels as predisposing factors for diabetes following exposure to 900-MHz waves

2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110226
Author(s):  
Gholamali Jelodar ◽  
Mansour Azimzadeh ◽  
Fatemeh Radmard ◽  
Narges Darvishhoo
Keyword(s):  
Cell Damage ◽  
Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Time Exposure ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Short Time

Exposure to mobile phone radiation causes deleterious health effects on biological systems. The objects of this study were to investigate the effect of 900-MHz radiofrequency waves (RFW) emitted from base transceiver station antenna on intrapancreatic homocysteine (Hcy), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nerve growth factor (NGF) as predisposing factors involved in pancreatic beta cell damage. Thirty male rats (Sprague-Dawley, 200 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into the control (without any exposure) and exposed groups: short time (2 h/day), long time (4 h/day), and exposed to 900-MHz RFW for 30 consecutive days. On the last days of the experiment, animals were killed and pancreas tissue was dissected out for evaluation of serotonin, Hcy, TNF-α, and NGF. There was a significant decrease in the serotonin and NGF levels in the pancreatic tissue of exposed groups compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). Also, the levels of serotonin and NGF in the long-time exposure were significantly lower than the short-time exposure ( p < 0.05). However, levels of Hcy and TNF-α were significantly increased in the pancreas of exposed groups compared to the control groups ( p < 0.05). Exposure to 900-MHz RFW decreased pancreatic NGF and serotonin levels and increased the proinflammatory markers (Hcy and TNF-α), which can be a predisposing factor for type 2 diabetes.

scholarly journals Retinal vascular fractal dimensions and their association with macrovascular cardiac disease.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Dinesen ◽  
Pia Søndergaard Jensen ◽  
Maria Bloksgaard ◽  
Søren Leer Blindbæk ◽  
Jo G.R. De Mey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Cardiac Disease ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Fractal Dimensions ◽  
Macrovascular Disease ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vascular Structure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Automatic Software ◽  
Multivariable Regression

Introduction As the only part of the human vasculature, retina is available for direct, non-invasive inspection. Retinal vascular fractal dimension (DF) is a method to measure the structure of the retinal vascular tree, with higher non-integer values between 1 and 2 representing a more complex and dense retinal vasculature. Retinal vascular structure has been associated with a variety of systemic diseases and this study examined the association of DF and macrovascular cardiac disease in a case-control design. Methods Retinal fundus photos were captured with Topcon TRC-50X in 38 persons that had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, cases) and 37 cardiovascular healthy controls. The semi-automatic software VAMPIRE was used to measure retinal DF. Results Patients with CABG had lower DF of the retinal main venular vessels compared to the control group (1.15 vs. 1.18, p=0.01). In a multivariable regression model adjusted for gender and age, eyes in the fourth quartile with higher DF were less likely to have CABG compared to patients in the first (OR, 7.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.63 to 31.86; p=0.009) and second quartile (OR, 8.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.70 to 40.01; p=0.009). Conclusions This study demonstrates that lower complexity of main venular vessels associates with higher risk of having CABG. The research supports the hypothesis that the retinal vascular structure can be used to assess non-ocular macrovascular disease.

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