The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Pet Partners have awarded a grant to the University of British Columbia (UBC) for research focused on how individual differences in dogs influence their interest in participating in various types of animal-assisted interventions (AAI). Principal Investigator Dr. Sasha Protopopova, an Associate Professor in UBC's Animal Welfare Program, and co-Investigator Dr. Camila Cavalli, a Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC, will lead the study.
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The project aims to understand the factors that affect therapy dogs' willingness to engage in human-animal interactions, emphasizing the importance of enhancing animal welfare. The research seeks to establish guidelines for the selection of therapy dogs based on genuine interest rather than mere tolerance, potentially improving both dog welfare and therapeutic effectiveness.
C. Annie Peters, president & CEO of Pet Partners, highlighted the organization's commitment to maintaining high standards in AAI. She expressed pride in supporting this research, which aims to advance understanding of therapy dog welfare and ensure only suitable animals participate in AAI.
Dr. Protopopova noted that therapy dogs often lack the means to express their preferences during AAI sessions, which can lead to stress and diminish their effectiveness. The goal of the research is to enhance therapy dog welfare by uncovering their preferences and interests during AAI.
The study will involve 25 therapy dogs and 25 pet dogs, matched by breed and age. Owners will complete two behavior questionnaires, and each dog will partake in two mock AAI sessions at UBC's Human Animal Interaction Lab. Their behaviors will be recorded and analyzed to identify preferences. Additionally, dogs will engage in socio-cognitive tasks to assess their behaviors towards humans and problem-solving persistence.
The researchers anticipate identifying behavioral predictors that influence participation in AAI sessions. By including pet dogs in the study, they aim to differentiate the impacts of therapy dog training from inherent personality traits that might make dogs more suitable for different types of AAI. Steve Feldman, President of HABRI, expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Pet Partners to support this significant research effort.
HABRI is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research on the health benefits of companion animals and advocating for their positive societal roles. Pet Partners has been the leader in therapy animal registration since 1977, facilitating meaningful visits that enhance the physical, social, and emotional well-being of both people and animals.