Stress level of therapy dogs during interventions

Animal assisted interventions are commonly performed with shelter dogs visiting inmates at prisons to positively impact human health. This study looked at the potential effects on the shelter dogs participating in the study. Saliva samples were collected at the shelter (baseline), after transport, and at the end of the visitation sessions for two months. The results showed that the cortisol levels in the saliva decreased in the dogs, suggesting that these interventions were also positively improving the dogs’ welfare as well as the inmates. Cortisol levels were found highest after transportation, where extra care should be taken to lessen the stress of transport.

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