The Covid-19 pandemic raises questions about the role that relationships and interactions between humans animals play in context of widespread social distancing isolation measures. We aimed to investigate links mental health loneliness, companion animal ownership, human-animal bond, interactions; explore owners' perceptions related their during lockdown.A cross-sectional online survey UK residents over 18 years age was conducted April June 2020. questionnaire included validated bespoke items...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources emotional and physical support during a period when most population is experiencing social environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived influence human–animal interaction on their mental health first COVID-19 lockdown phase in U.K., what concerns they had regarding at this time. also explored impact participants’ with non-companion phase. A...

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic raises questions about the role that relationships and interactions between humans animals play in context of widespread social distancing isolation measures. We aimed to investigate links mental health loneliness, companion animal ownership, human-animal bond, interactions; explore owners’ perceptions related their during lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey UK residents over 18 years age was conducted April June 2020. questionnaire included...

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation globally where companion animals may be at increased risk of relinquishment and abandonment due to multiple interrelated factors. aims this study were establish the prevalence self-reported adoption cats dogs during pandemic, identify characteristics associated with relinquishment. A survey was distributed 4,000 participants across several countries including UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain France. N = 3,945 responses available for analysis. Three...

Previous research suggests that dogs can detect when humans are experiencing stress. This study tested whether baseline and stress odours were distinguishable to dogs, using a double-blind, two-phase, three-alternative forced-choice procedure. Combined breath sweat samples obtained from participants at baseline, after stress-inducing (mental arithmetic) task. Participants' was validated with self-report physiological measures recorded via Biopac MP150 system. Thirty-six participants'...

There has been a paucity of research into the experiences animal rescue staff and volunteers during COVID-19. The aim this qualitative was to explore impact COVID-19 pandemic on companion organisations their volunteers, develop set recommendations how reduce risk welfare crisis. Descriptive thematic analysis used from 28 organisations, most which were based in UK. Other surveyed countries included Germany, Republic Ireland, France, Spain, USA Australia. We identify three key themes that...

Although predator exposure increases the risk of wound infections, it typically induces immunosuppression. A number non-mutually exclusive hypotheses have been put forward to explain this immunosuppression, including: trade-offs between immune system and other systems required for anti-predator behaviour, redistribution resources towards mechanisms needed defend against reconfiguration optimize defense under physiological state fight-or-flight readiness. We tested ability each hypothesis...

Background: Companion animals may be a positive presence for their owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, welfare of companion animal is strongly influenced by behaviour owners, as well physical and social environment. We aimed to investigate reported changes in examine association between these owners’ mental health. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey UK residents over 18 years age was conducted April June 2020 (n = 5926). The questionnaire included validated, bespoke items...

Past research on intrasexual competition for mates has revealed at least four strategies that people may deploy. One of the most frequently used is competitor derogation, such derogate potential rivals with respect to their appearance and personality. What remains unknown how those who are perceived by others. Here we examine female derogators viewed men (i.e., mates) women rivals), investigate whether form derogation matters. We a pre-post design document changes in perceptions made...

The use of dogs in biomedical diagnosis, detection and alert as well for the search monitoring species-at-risk is an emerging field research. Standard practices are converging towards models that not necessarily consistent with established (animal) psychophysics. We briefly discuss different challenges applied canine olfactory processing adoption more valid reliable methods. For mostly historical reasons it seems, scent trained tested using multiple alternative stimuli choice tasks (e.g.,...

Biomedical scent detection dogs identify the profiles of diseases, such as cancer, diabetes or pathogenic micro-organisms. What field biomedical has been lacking, however, is assessment method from point view a health technology. All technologies undergo thorough evaluation safety, clinical effectiveness and costs, well ethical, social, organizational legal evaluations in some cases. Passing these regulatory controls pre-requisite before technology approved for use decision-making about...

Judgement bias paradigms are increasingly being used as a measure of affective state in dogs. Approach to an ambiguous stimulus is commonly affect, however, this may also be influenced by learning. This study directly measured the impact learning on judgement paradigm absence manipulation. Dogs (N = 15) were tested task across five sessions. The dogs' latency approach bowl placed one three locations between non-baited (negative) and baited (positive) was measured. Results show that session...

Medical Alert Dogs (MADs) are a promising support system for variety of medical conditions. Emerging anecdotal reports suggest that dogs may alert to additional health conditions and different people other than those they were trained or initially began alerting. As the use increases, it is imperative such claims documented empirically. The overall aims this study record proportion MAD owners who have dog alerts multiple target person determine whether any sociodemographic variables...

Abstract Understanding the factors associated with companion animal relinquishment is key in safeguarding welfare and human well-being. The aims of this study were to assess effect demographic variables on risk cats dogs during COVID-19 pandemic, report characteristics those that relinquished a cat or dog, experience said process. A series surveys administered pet owners (n = 3,945) across several countries including UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain France. In total, n 1,324 reported having...