Effect of a time-out session with working animal-assisted therapy dogs

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is the therapeutic involvement of specially trained animals in various clinical situations to assist people both physically and psychologically. Although there is some controversy in the research that supports the benefits received by people when they interact with AAT dogs, many studies have demonstrated positive effects of AAT. AAT dogs work with their handlers in busy hospital environments. Although these dogs are trained to work in therapeutic situations, they could experience stress in ever-changing environments. This research studied the effect of a “quiet-play” time-out session on AAT dogs during their work shifts. Salivary cortisol specimens were collected at 3-time intervals and survey data were collected from each handler after completion of the work shift. Cortisol levels from baseline to one hour into the work shift showed elevation (P = 0.025). Cortisol levels were not significant across the 3 samples (baseline, hour 1 [H1], and hour 2.5 [H2.5]) when comparing the dogs with a time-out session and without a time-out session. Survey data showed multiple trends including (1) younger dogs, aged <6 years, showed more behavioral signs of stress than older dogs (P = 0.017), and (2) experienced AAT dogs showed a trend of less behavioral signs of stress than less experienced AAT dogs (P = 0.08).