Handlers' Representations on Therapy Dogs' Welfare.

Area of Science:

• Animal-assisted interventions (AAI)
• Animal welfare science
• Veterinary behavioral medicine

Background:

• Research on animal-assisted interventions (AAI) benefits is growing, but the well-being of therapy dogs themselves remains understudied.
• Therapy dog handlers are key stakeholders responsible for their dogs' welfare.
• Understanding therapy dog welfare is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of AAI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore French handlers' perspectives on therapy dog welfare.
• To identify factors influencing therapy dog well-being within AAI.
• To highlight potential risks and areas for handler training.

Main Methods:

• An online questionnaire was administered to 111 French therapy dog handlers.
• Data collected focused on handlers' perceptions of their dogs' welfare.
• Analysis identified key dimensions and risk factors affecting therapy dog well-being.

Main Results:

• Therapy dog welfare is multidimensional, including physical and psychological aspects, work-life balance, and session environment/interactions.
• Key risk factors identified include the spatio-temporal framework, interactions with beneficiaries, and handler-related factors.
• Handlers emphasized the importance of considering dog welfare for AAI quality and safety.

Conclusions:

• Therapy dog welfare requires a holistic approach, considering multiple dimensions beyond basic physical health.
• Interactions with beneficiaries can be a significant stressor for therapy dogs, warranting further research.
• Handler training in stress recognition and management is vital to mitigate risks and ensure optimal therapy dog welfare.