This thesis is comprised of three studies examining the effects of pet ownership on street-involved youth in Ontario. As a relatively new area of study, issues surrounding pet ownership among homeless youth were first explored qualitatively. The first two studies utilized a series of one-on-one interviews with both pet-owning youth and youth service professionals to determine the major roles, relationships, challenges and effects that pets have in the lives of street-involved youth. The four themes that emerged from both of these interview groups included “pet before self” where youth placed the needs of their pet ahead of their own, physical effects of pet ownership, emotional effects of pet ownership, and the benefits and liabilities of pet ownership. Findings related to these themes, such as the strength of the human-animal bond and pets as drivers of change are discussed. Information derived from the qualitative interviews with pet-owning youth and youth workers contributed to the development of a questionnaire administered to a convenience sample of 89 pet-owning street-involved youth and 100 street-involved youth who were not pet owners in four urban centres in Ontario. This study sought to validate findings from previous qualitative research, provide descriptive information on the pet-owning youth population, their pets, and their human-animal relationship, as well as assess pet attachment based on the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale. Additionally, pet owners and non-pet owners were compared in terms of depression based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, shelter use and drug use. The findings include a universally high level of pet attachment among this unique pet owning population, providing opportunity for youth to experience not only beneficial emotional and social support, but also the negative emotional consequences of pet loss. Pet ownership was also demonstrated to be significantly and negatively correlated with regular shelter use. Through logistic modelling and controlling for participant gender and regular drug use (of drugs other than cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana), pet ownership was found to be negatively associated with depression. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, this thesis provides evidence of the beneficial as well as the potential negative impacts of pet ownership for street-involved youth. It also provides the first quantitative description of this population and their human-animal relationship, while demonstrating support for further research into the effects of pet ownership on street-involved youth, and consideration for expanded education and service provision to support youth and their pets among youth services. / Anonymous, Ontario Veterinary College Deans Office

El objetivo de esta investigación es explorar las representaciones mentales del vínculo humano-animal en adultos responsables del cuidado de mascotas caninas quienes pertenecen al sector socioeconómico medio limeño. Para tal propósito, desde el paradigma cualitativo, se utilizó un diseño fenomenológico a partir de un grupo heterogéneo, ubicado dentro de los tres estadíos del desarrollo humano adulto propuestos por Papalia et al. (2012). Los participantes oscilan entre 21 y 65 años, siendo los dueños y responsables totales de una mascota donde reconocen la existencia de un vínculo significativo, el cual tiene una duración mayor a dos años. Para recoger la información se utilizó la técnica de entrevista conversacional y guía conversacional. Los resultados evidenciaron que la mascota representa una figura de apego, que corresponde a una base segura caracterizada por los principios que rigen al vínculo humano-animal de Katcher(1993). Esta representa una fuente de apoyo y comprensión significativa en momentos de estrés y angustia, así como también influencia positivamente en el autoconcepto de los dueños al sentirse valorados, reconocidos y útiles. Este vínculo es capaz de impulsar la capacidad de agencia reflejado en emprendimientos en los participantes, así como resultar terapéutica, al facilitar el tránsito de experiencias de pérdidas. No obstante, fantasear con la pérdida de la mascota conlleva a proyectar sentimientos de tristeza, malestar e ira depositadas en las conductas del animal, percibiendo que esta pérdida podría desembocar una depresión. Esto revela cuán importante es comprender el vínculo humano-animal en nuestra sociedad, pues puede impactar desarrollando síntomas y padecimientos psicológicos. / The objective of this research is to explore the mental representations of the human-animal bond in adults responsible for the care of canine pets who belong to the middle socioeconomic sector of Lima. For this purpose, from the qualitative paradigm, a phenomenological design was used from a heterogeneous group, located within the three stages of adult human development proposed by Papalia et al.(2012). The participants range between 21 and 65 years, being the owners and total responsible for a pet where they recognize the existence of a significant bond, which lasts more than two years. To collect the information, the conversational interview and conversational guide technique was used. The results showed that the pet represents an attachment figure, which corresponds to a secure base characterized by the principles that govern the human-animal bond of Katcher (1993). This represents a source of significant support and understanding in times of stress and anguish, as well as a positive influence on the owners' self-concept by feeling valued, recognized and useful. This bond is capable of boosting the agency capacity reflected in entrepreneurship in the participants, as well as being therapeutic, by facilitating the transit of experiences of loss. However, fantasizing about the loss of the pet leads to projecting feelings of sadness, discomfort and anger deposited in the behavior of the animal, perceiving that this loss could lead to depression. This reveals how important it is to understand the human-animal bond in our society, as it can impact developing symptoms and psychological ailments. / Tesis

Evidence-based practices utilized by social workers working with veterans experiencing physical (e.g., spinal cord injuries and loss of limbs) and/or mental health (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use) issues are widely used with this vulnerable population. The number of social workers integrating animal-assisted interventions (AAI) or animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as a complementary intervention to these practices is extremely limited. A significant amount of research has been published on AAI and AAT, yet there is a gap in research regarding AAI and AAT as effective complementary approaches when working with veterans. The qualitative method utilized in this study was interviews in which MSWs and LCSWs were asked to share personal experiences while employed at veteran-supported agencies and/or non-profit organizations. The qualitative method of interviews and content analysis were used to help identify the themes and sub-themes of this study. The themes and sub-themes supported the phrases and statements drawn from the seven interviews conducted for this study. Findings supported in this study addressed the value of the human-animal bond, how integrating AAI and AAT with evidence-based practices can assist the veteran in improving quality of life (e.g., a decrease in social isolation, increase in social activity, decrease in substance use), and how important it is to recognize the need to provide the education in this field to social workers. Findings from this study can help to provide the foundation for future research, can underscore the value of offering and integrating AAI and AAT education into more MSW programs, and can contribute to establishing policy where those who can benefit by AAI and AAT are given access to it.

It has already been established that animals have various constitutional effects on humans and influence quality of life and well-being in various ways (see Nestmann 2005). For a lot of people in all stages of their life, pets are important sources of support. They are able to contribute to our health as well as to buffer stress and illness. Especially elderly and frail people take profit from the human animal bond. Pets may be seen as important agents in support and therapy of people with dementia. Besides offering emotional support in times of struggle and loneliness, pets can even have a healing influence in situations of physical or mental illness. Since the 1960s animals have been used in professional and therapeutic settings. Even retirement and nursing homes experience the psychosocial benefits of animal assisted activities and integrate animals successfully in the daily routine of the residents. The longitudinal field study “Animals at the Johanniter-Stift Nursing Home” is the first to investigate the effects of animal assisted activities on the quality of life and well-being of elderly nursing home patients with dementia. In order to systematically establish the extent to which various forms of regular contact with animals can benefit such patients, psychological and social changes in patients with and without contact to animals were examined at three intervals over a three-year period, using research instruments such as non-participant observation (MTU), questionnaires completed by nursing staff (FSAK; NPI) as well as interviews with the nursing staff to examine the human-animal-contacts between the residents and the animals in the daily routine. The study demonstrates that elderly dementia sufferers with regular contact to animals tend to show greater agility, independence, strength of social network and communication abilities compared to those without contact to animals. The study shows the psychosocial effects and the options of animal assisted activities with and care of elderly people suffering from dementia as an alternative to pharmacological treatment.

No description available.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology / Fred O. Bradley / The number of animal training programs in correctional facilities has increased in the past 25 years. Anecdotal accounts have informally assessed the efficacy of prison training programs; however, only limited systemic studies have been conducted (Britton & Button, 2005; Furst, 2006). Preliminary information from anecdotal accounts and narratives indicates the potential these programs have to impact inmate behavior, self- esteem, staff and inmate morale, and community perceptions of offenders (Cushing & Williams, 1995; Harkrader, Burke, & Owen, 2004). There is also an indication inmate trainers learn responsibility, patience, coping skills, and vocational skills (Britton & Button, 2005; Merriam-Arduini, 2000; Turner, 2007). This qualitative study presents preliminary findings from the following five participant perspectives on the perceived outcomes of a canine training program in a correctional facility where inmates train assistance, therapy, rescue, and medical alert canines: (a) inmate trainers, (b) former inmate trainers, (c) non-trainer inmates who are not involved in the training program, (d) staff, and (e) the researcher. Once trained, the canines are adopted as assistance dogs for individuals in need. Data collected from in- depth interviews with current inmate trainers, former inmate trainers, non-trainer inmates, and staff, and audio and video recordings, researcher observations, and a researcher developed scale indicated the following themes which emerged from the study: there are positive emotional outcomes and positive practical outcomes for inmate trainers who work with dogs in the training program. Positive emotional outcomes for inmate trainers include the following: (a) providing social support, (b) gaining a sense of pride, (c) serving as a feeling of giving back to society, (d) increasing personal patience, (e) humanizing the inmate trainers, and (f) improving self-esteem. Positive practical outcomes for inmate trainers emerged in the following areas: (a) improving responsibility, (b) having a positive impact on the prison environment, (c) providing opportunities to help others, (d) using goal setting, (e) gaining employability skills, and (e) having a positive effect on behavior. Results from this study will add to existing literature and research in the field of animal-assisted interventions and rehabilitation programs with human beings, specifically those in correctional facilities. In addition, results from this study will assist correctional administration in the design, implementation, and evaluation of dog training programs in prisons.

O tutor é uma parte importante da vida do animal, já que ele determina todas as condições de vida do pet. A maioria dos tutores quer cuidar de seu cão ou gato com o melhor de suas habilidades, entretanto boas intenções não devem ser confundidas com bem-estar adequado na realidade. É importante que mais pesquisas sejam feitas para encontrar um método efetivo e barato para educar tutores. Nosso objetivo foi criar cinco folhetos e dois vídeos para informar adotantes sobre manejo, comportamento e as necessidades dos gatos. Nós os comparamos a outros tutores que receberam folhetos desenvolvidos pela Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals e a tutores não-informados em São Paulo, Brasil. No momento da adoção, foi avaliado o nível de informação dos tutores. Após seis meses, foram medidos o vínculo do tutor com o gato, o bem-estar do gato e o acatamento dos tutores informados às recomendações fornecidas. Em geral, as pessoas acertaram mais de metade da maioria das perguntas do escore de informação, porém algumas perguntas apresentaram um número alarmante de respostas erradas. O escore de informação estava associado aos tutores possuírem um gato no momento em que respondiam ao questionário. Não houve diferença no vínculo tutor-gato e nos escores de bem-estar e acatamento entre os tutores informados e não-informados. Algumas perguntas do questionário estavam associadas a estes escores e um pequeno número de perguntas foi associado entre si. O estudo deixou clara a necessidade de informar tutores brasileiros a respeito da guarda responsável, mas não define a adoção como o momento ideal para esta conscientização / The owner is an important part in an animals life, as he/she determines all the pets living conditions. The majority of owners wants to look after their cats and dogs to the best of their abilities, but well-meaning intentions should not be confused with good welfare in reality. It is important to conduct more researches to find an effective and non-expensive method of educating owners. We aimed to create five pamphlets and two videos to inform adopters about cats handling, behaviors and needs. We compared them to others owners that received pamphlets made by Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to non-informed owners in São Paulo, Brazil. At the adoption, we assessed the level of owners information. After 6 months, we measured the owners attachment to the cat, the cats welfare and the compliance of informed owners with the advices given. In general, people got right more than half of each answer in the information score, although some questions had an alarming number of wrong answers. The information score was associated with owners already having a cat in the moment they were answering the questionnaire. There was no difference in the human-cat attachment, welfare or compliance scores among the informed e non-informed owners. A few questions in the questionnaire were associated with such scores and a small number of questions was associated with each other. The study emphasized the need to inform Brazilian owners about responsible ownership, but did not define the adoption as the ideal moment to counsel owners about this

Attorneys must obtain evidence for purporting their position on a court case. Many factors are considered when working with witness testimony such as age, development, narrative recall, and retraumatization. Research has detailed the hardship of obtaining evidence during witness testimony and the importance of support systems to help with the process. Existing research illustrates the stressors caused by the court processes, witness fear, and difficulty for attorneys to ascertain testimony. Therapeutic animals have been well researched and shown to have an important support role in many professions and situations. Additionally, much has been written regarding the use of varying types of court approved support systems. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding how attorneys perceive the use of facility dogs as support systems in the courtroom. The case study sought to understand how defense and prosecuting attorneys perceive the use of facility dogs in the courtroom, and how that experience has influenced their belief system. Data collection was completed through a 7 question phone interview process. The data collected via phone interviews were coded and analyzed through the use of NVivo software and Survey Monkey database. The analysis revealed the participants high level of acceptance on the use of facility dogs in the courtroom as support systems. Attorneys were open and receptive to learning more about dogs as a support system, even when hesitant about the outcome. The revelations from this study may be used to provide additional support to witnesses. Data collected within this study will propel future studies and education in many different animal advocate groups and legal entities.

O tutor é uma parte importante da vida do animal, já que ele determina todas as condições de vida do pet. A maioria dos tutores quer cuidar de seu cão ou gato com o melhor de suas habilidades, entretanto boas intenções não devem ser confundidas com bem-estar adequado na realidade. É importante que mais pesquisas sejam feitas para encontrar um método efetivo e barato para educar tutores. Nosso objetivo foi criar cinco folhetos e dois vídeos para informar adotantes sobre manejo, comportamento e as necessidades dos gatos. Nós os comparamos a outros tutores que receberam folhetos desenvolvidos pela Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals e a tutores não-informados em São Paulo, Brasil. No momento da adoção, foi avaliado o nível de informação dos tutores. Após seis meses, foram medidos o vínculo do tutor com o gato, o bem-estar do gato e o acatamento dos tutores informados às recomendações fornecidas. Em geral, as pessoas acertaram mais de metade da maioria das perguntas do escore de informação, porém algumas perguntas apresentaram um número alarmante de respostas erradas. O escore de informação estava associado aos tutores possuírem um gato no momento em que respondiam ao questionário. Não houve diferença no vínculo tutor-gato e nos escores de bem-estar e acatamento entre os tutores informados e não-informados. Algumas perguntas do questionário estavam associadas a estes escores e um pequeno número de perguntas foi associado entre si. O estudo deixou clara a necessidade de informar tutores brasileiros a respeito da guarda responsável, mas não define a adoção como o momento ideal para esta conscientização / The owner is an important part in an animals life, as he/she determines all the pets living conditions. The majority of owners wants to look after their cats and dogs to the best of their abilities, but well-meaning intentions should not be confused with good welfare in reality. It is important to conduct more researches to find an effective and non-expensive method of educating owners. We aimed to create five pamphlets and two videos to inform adopters about cats handling, behaviors and needs. We compared them to others owners that received pamphlets made by Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and to non-informed owners in São Paulo, Brazil. At the adoption, we assessed the level of owners information. After 6 months, we measured the owners attachment to the cat, the cats welfare and the compliance of informed owners with the advices given. In general, people got right more than half of each answer in the information score, although some questions had an alarming number of wrong answers. The information score was associated with owners already having a cat in the moment they were answering the questionnaire. There was no difference in the human-cat attachment, welfare or compliance scores among the informed e non-informed owners. A few questions in the questionnaire were associated with such scores and a small number of questions was associated with each other. The study emphasized the need to inform Brazilian owners about responsible ownership, but did not define the adoption as the ideal moment to counsel owners about this

It has already been established that animals have various constitutional effects on humans and influence quality of life and well-being in various ways (see Nestmann 2005). For a lot of people in all stages of their life, pets are important sources of support. They are able to contribute to our health as well as to buffer stress and illness. Especially elderly and frail people take profit from the human animal bond. Pets may be seen as important agents in support and therapy of people with dementia. Besides offering emotional support in times of struggle and loneliness, pets can even have a healing influence in situations of physical or mental illness. Since the 1960s animals have been used in professional and therapeutic settings. Even retirement and nursing homes experience the psychosocial benefits of animal assisted activities and integrate animals successfully in the daily routine of the residents. The longitudinal field study “Animals at the Johanniter-Stift Nursing Home” is the first to investigate the effects of animal assisted activities on the quality of life and well-being of elderly nursing home patients with dementia. In order to systematically establish the extent to which various forms of regular contact with animals can benefit such patients, psychological and social changes in patients with and without contact to animals were examined at three intervals over a three-year period, using research instruments such as non-participant observation (MTU), questionnaires completed by nursing staff (FSAK; NPI) as well as interviews with the nursing staff to examine the human-animal-contacts between the residents and the animals in the daily routine. The study demonstrates that elderly dementia sufferers with regular contact to animals tend to show greater agility, independence, strength of social network and communication abilities compared to those without contact to animals. The study shows the psychosocial effects and the options of animal assisted activities with and care of elderly people suffering from dementia as an alternative to pharmacological treatment.