Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany
Abstract Using a questionnaire and open questions, with the data compiled in SPSS and MS Excel, this study analyzes the perception, significance, and understanding of animal welfare in dogs in animal-assisted services from the perspective of animal-assisted professionals in Germany. The general find...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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CABI
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Human-Animal Interactions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0020 |
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| author | Katharina Ameli Theresa F. Braun Stephanie Krämer |
| author_facet | Katharina Ameli Theresa F. Braun Stephanie Krämer |
| author_sort | Katharina Ameli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Using a questionnaire and open questions, with the data compiled in SPSS and MS Excel, this study analyzes the perception, significance, and understanding of animal welfare in dogs in animal-assisted services from the perspective of animal-assisted professionals in Germany. The general findings show that the professionals attach great importance to animal welfare in animal-assisted services and ensure this by paying attention to the physiological and psychological needs of their dogs by observing their body language. Their replies about knowledge can be linked to ethological research. Inductive categories from analyzing the open questions offer inductive categories like expressions, physical or body symptoms, posture and body movements, restlessness or nervousness, contact with caregivers, refusal of food, withdrawal or leaving the situation, and vocalization. The results indicate the necessity of noticing the potential suffering or pain signals of dogs in animal-assisted services. Recognition of and reflection on these aspects ensures animal welfare and well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-29ff4db5104f4e3a9ff9619f76a042dd |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2957-9538 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human-Animal Interactions |
| spelling | doaj-art-29ff4db5104f4e3a9ff9619f76a042dd2025-08-20T03:09:31ZengCABIHuman-Animal Interactions2957-95382025-05-0113110.1079/hai.2025.0020Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in GermanyKatharina Ameli0Theresa F. Braun1Stephanie Krämer2Interdisciplinary Centre for Animal Welfare Research and 3R, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany;Department of Special Education and Inclusive Education, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, GermanyInterdisciplinary Centre for Animal Welfare Research and 3R, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany;Abstract Using a questionnaire and open questions, with the data compiled in SPSS and MS Excel, this study analyzes the perception, significance, and understanding of animal welfare in dogs in animal-assisted services from the perspective of animal-assisted professionals in Germany. The general findings show that the professionals attach great importance to animal welfare in animal-assisted services and ensure this by paying attention to the physiological and psychological needs of their dogs by observing their body language. Their replies about knowledge can be linked to ethological research. Inductive categories from analyzing the open questions offer inductive categories like expressions, physical or body symptoms, posture and body movements, restlessness or nervousness, contact with caregivers, refusal of food, withdrawal or leaving the situation, and vocalization. The results indicate the necessity of noticing the potential suffering or pain signals of dogs in animal-assisted services. Recognition of and reflection on these aspects ensures animal welfare and well-being.http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0020animal-assisted servicesanimal-assisted educationanimal-assisted therapyhuman-animal bondstress assessment |
| spellingShingle | Katharina Ameli Theresa F. Braun Stephanie Krämer Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany Human-Animal Interactions animal-assisted services animal-assisted education animal-assisted therapy human-animal bond stress assessment |
| title | Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany |
| title_full | Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany |
| title_short | Animal welfare in dog-assisted services: Perception of professionals in Germany |
| title_sort | animal welfare in dog assisted services perception of professionals in germany |
| topic | animal-assisted services animal-assisted education animal-assisted therapy human-animal bond stress assessment |
| url | http://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0020 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT katharinaameli animalwelfareindogassistedservicesperceptionofprofessionalsingermany AT theresafbraun animalwelfareindogassistedservicesperceptionofprofessionalsingermany AT stephaniekramer animalwelfareindogassistedservicesperceptionofprofessionalsingermany |