bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the Effect of an Animal-Assisted Intervention on Patient Distress in Outpatient Cystoscopy
Authors: Barker Sandra , Krzastek Sarah , Vokes Rebecca , Schubert Christine , Cooley Lauren Folgosa , Hampton Lance J. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Animal assisted interventions (AAI) have been shown to improve patient outcomes in some healthcare settings. Flexible cystoscopy, while minimally invasive, is associated with patient-reported pain, fear, and anxiety. Few techniques have been found to improve these adverse effects associated with cystoscopy. The purpose of this study was to extend existing research on AAI in outpatient settings to investigate the effectiveness of AAI in reducing patient distress associated with outpatient cystoscopy. Ninety-five patients (average age 55.5 years) were prospectively enrolled and randomized to receive one 15-minute AAI prior to cystoscopy (n=46), or cystoscopy performed per standard protocol (n=49). Distress was measured by Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for fear, anxiety, and stress, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate at 3 time points: prior to intervention/prior to cystoscopy, following intervention/prior to cystoscopy, and following intervention/following cystoscopy. Pain was assessed by VAS post-cystoscopy. There were no significant differences between the AAI and control groups in changes in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, fear, and pain between any time points. There were significant between-group differences in changes in anxiety and stress prior to cystoscopy with greater reductions found in anxiety and stress following AAI. The greater reductions in stress associated with AAI were maintained after cystoscopy. This is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of AAI in reducing distress associated with cystoscopy. More research is needed to determine if AAI is a viable method for improving patient outcomes associated with this and other outpatient procedures.
Human-Animal-Environment Interactions and Self-Regulation in Youth with Psychosocial Challenges: Initial Assessment of the Green Chimneys Model
Authors: Flynn Erin , Mueller Megan K. , Luft Denise , Geldhof G. John , Klee Steve , Tedeschi Philip , Morris Kevin N. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
As animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) become increasingly popular in youth-based settings, there is a significant need for robust, theoretically-predicated programs and assessment frameworks. Ample evidence suggests that AAIs and nature-based interventions have broad emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes. Because these interventions are associated with the regulation of stress, distress, and arousal, it is clear that self-regulatory processes are an important mechanism associated with these interventions. We hypothesize that human-animal-environment interventions (HAEI), such as those delivered within the Green Chimneys model, contribute to the development of self-regulation skills. Green Chimneys is a New York State private school serving students with psychosocial challenges and special educational needs. This study explored the hypothesis that Green Chimneys’ use of a wide variety of HAEIs (e.g., equine, farm animal, wildlife and canine programs) may be linked to self-regulatory processes. We used student restraint data as an indicator of self-regulation, comparing the prevalence of restraint incidents in the HAEI-settings compared to other contexts on campus. Results indicated that the rates of restraint were considerably lower for the farm as compared to the school/classroom, structured/non-academic activities (e.g., gym), and unstructured non-academic (e.g., cafeteria) activities. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the HAEI settings may assist in promoting positive self-regulatory behaviors.
Stress Reduction in Law Enforcement Officers and Staff through a Canine-Assisted Intervention
Authors: Binfet John-Tyler , Draper Zakary A. , Green Freya L. L. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Law enforcement officers and staff are known to experience elevated workplace stress, largely due to their increased exposure to traumatic incidents. This results in individuals experiencing trauma themselves and resultant compromised physical and mental health. Law enforcement officers are also known to be reluctant help-seekers and to increase participation in programs to promote employee well-being, initiatives are increasingly integrated into the day-to-day work routine of employees. An intervention showing promise with health care providers and college students but not yet used with law enforcement officers and staff has been to provide individuals access to therapy dogs to reduce stress. Seven therapy dogs along with their handlers were brought to an urban police precinct for 90-minutes each week for 8 weeks. A total of 251 visits (56% staff, 43% officers, < 1% unidentified) to the dog station were made with the average duration of visits being 11 minutes. A visual analogue scale was used to assess participants pre-to-post differences in stress and a paired Wilcoxon signed-ranked test indicated a significant effect of the intervention with mean stress decreasing from pre-to-post visit. Findings are discussed within the context of canine-assisted intervention and law enforcement well-being.
Spanish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Animal Attitude Scale and the Speciesism Scale
Authors: Suárez-Yera Claudia , Ordóñez-Carrasco Jorge L. , Sánchez-Castelló María , Rojas Tejada Antonio J. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

This study analyzes the psychometric properties of a Spanish adaptation of two of the most widely used instruments for the measurement of the general attitudes toward animals:
Animal Attitude Scale
(AAS; there are three versions of 20, 10, and 5 items) and
Speciesism Scale
(SS). The Spanish adaptation of both scales followed the guidelines of the
International Tests Commission
and was administered to a sample of 470 participants. The purpose was to estimate the reliability and provide evidence of validity based on the internal structure of the tests and based on the relationship with other variables (type of diet). The estimated reliability revealed good scores, except for the 5 items version of the AAS. For the AAS-10 and SS, the factorial structure agreed with the author’s proposal, but not for the 20 and 5 items version of the AAS. Validity analysis showed favorable evidence in the expected direction. The Spanish adaptation of SS and AAS (for tree versions) shows good psychometric properties. The results pointed out a better performance in the 10 items version of the AAS based on test length and psychometric properties (reliability and validity).
Effectiveness of Animal-assisted Interventions (AAIs) in Treatment of Adults with Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review
Authors: McFalls-Steger Chris , Patterson David , Thompson Phyllis 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have become widespread, with programs targeting various populations and mental health conditions. Despite its popularity, AAI’s operational definition and its efficacy are unclear. This systematic review aims to assess the utility of AAIs in decreasing depressive symptoms in adults based upon results of empirically validated depression assessment scales used by researchers. A systematic published literature search was conducted using Web of Science, PsychInfo, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed research articles on the effectiveness of AAIs on depressive symptoms in adults using empirically validated depression scales published from 2010 through October 2020 were chosen for this systematic review. Search results were filtered to include only quantitative, peer-reviewed articles for adults 18 and over; those were reviewed, and only journal articles using an empirically established depression evaluation tool were chosen. A total of 10 quantitative articles met these inclusion criteria. Overall, research design quality was low, but AAI had a statistically significant effect on outcomes in most studies. Results are moderately favorable but more thorough, standardized, and controlled research is needed.
What’s in a Dog? Children Learn and Apply Mindfulness Similarly With and Without a Dog
Authors: Nikcevic Jovana , Oliva Jessica Lee 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Offering early interventions to address mental health disorders in school settings may minimize long-term consequences and increase accessibility for a non-clinical sample. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore children’s experiences of learning mindfulness in school, with and without a dog. Forty-four primary school students aged 8 to 12 years were cluster randomised into one of two conditions: Mindfulness Only (
n
= 18) or Dog Assisted Mindfulness (n = 26) and participated in an in-school 20-minute guided mindfulness session once a week for 6 weeks. Thematic content analysis revealed that both groups experienced
positive emotions
and feelings of
relaxion or calm
during and after the sessions.
Dog related activity
was the most frequently noted favorite aspect of the sessions for the dog-assisted group, and participants from both groups favoured
mindfulness activity, quiet and stillness,
and
breathing
at approximately equal frequencies. Students also experienced
increased attention and mindfulness, quiet or stillness
and
increased agency of own feelings,
with both groups commonly using mindfulness techniques outside of sessions to aid the onset of sleep and for emotion regulation. Overall, the participants in both intervention groups shared similar positive experiences, learnings, and applications, suggesting that learning mindfulness with and without a dog may have similar benefits.
Compatibility of riders’ personality traits and the perceived personality of their horse
Authors: Træen Bente , Røysamb Espen 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
This study addresses the relationship between competition riders’ personality traits and the perception of their horse’s personality, and it assesses whether a match in personality is associated with aspects of the riders’ self-esteem, general self-efficacy, satisfaction with life, anxiety and depression. An invitation to participate in the study and a link to an online questionnaire were distributed via e-mail to members of the Norwegian Equestrian Federation (NEF). In total, 662 riders (95.5% female) accessed the survey site and completed the questionnaire. Most riders perceived of themselves as planned and systematic, extraverted and sociable, open to new experiences and non-neurotic. They tended to perceive of their favourite horse in a similar manner. Based on the riders’ perceptions, three dimensions of personality in the horses were identified: ‘neuroticism’, ‘agreeableness’ and ‘extraversion’. To study the match and discrepancy in human and horse personality, new variables were constructed to measure the differences between human personality and horse personality. Positive self-esteem and higher subjective well-being in the rider correlated with a match in both agreeableness and extraversion. On the other hand, riders who had a discrepancy with their horse in agreeableness and extraversion reported more depression. Riders who experienced a match in extraversion with their horse had higher self-efficacy. Lastly, riders who had a discrepancy with their horse in neuroticism and extraversion reported more anxiety.
The Effect of a Dog Assisted Reading Program on the Reading Ability and Motivation of Children with Dyslexia
Authors: Goodmon Leilani B. , Burnett Pippa R. , Pack Renee , Powell Rebecca 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Dog assisted reading programs have been shown to improve children’s reading skills and attitudes toward reading (
Kirnan et al., 2016
;
Levinson et al., 2017
;
Linder et al., 2018
) and on-task behavior in children who struggle with reading (
Bassette & Taber-Doughty, 2013
). The purpose of this study was to determine if the benefits of reading to a therapy dog would generalize to a sample of 38 children (8-11 years of age) with dyslexia. We found that the children exhibited significant improvements in reading fluency from baseline to post-treatment. Teacher opinions of students’ reading attitude - motivation also improved from baseline to post-treatment. They also reported greater reading motivation and mood when they read to the dog (i.e., experimental condition) compared to when they read to the experimenter (i.e., control condition). Inconsistent with the hypotheses, there was no significant increase in comprehension scores or trait reading motivation from baseline to post-treatment, nor was there a significance increase in reading fluency between when they read to the dog compared to when they read to the experimenter. Some of these aforementioned results (i.e., teacher reports and reading mood and motivation) were age / grade dependent. The results imply that dog assisted reading programs may benefit the number of words read per minute, reading motivation, and mood of children with dyslexia, but not reading comprehension.
A Transactional Analysis of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Peters B. Caitlin , Bentele Christof , Wood Wendy 
Published: October 2022

AbstractExisting empirical investigations of occupational therapy services that incorporate horses for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are limited by a lack of standardized protocols. The current study sought to support manualization of one approach to occupational therapy in an equine environment for youth with ASD (OTeeHORSPLAY), by vividly describing the intervention from a transactional perspective. Direct, real-time videos plus field notes of OTeeHORSPLAY were collected and then subjected to qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistical analysis. Analytical methods followed Ricoeur’s hermeneutic arc of naïve interpretation, explanation through structural analyses, and comprehensive description. Following this arc, we found many architectural spaces, sequences of occupational opportunities, and actions of practitioners and youth that fluidly shifted in relationship to one another. The results of this study will inform the development of intervention protocols that will be tested for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in future investigations of OTeeHORSPLAY.
Impacts of Dog Ownership and Attachment on Total and Dog-related Physical Activity in Germany
Authors: Benedikt Hielscher , Udo Ganslosser , Ingo Froboese 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Dog ownership is related to physical activity. There could, however, be variances in the strength of this relationship between different cultures. The objective of the present study was to investigate activity behavior in dog owners (DOs) in Germany. Further, the association between dog ownership, attachment and physical activity was examined. Total physical activity, dog walking, and other dog-related activities were investigated using an online survey that was promoted in several social media groups. A German physical activity questionnaire (BSA-F) and the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) were used. DOs display higher levels of total physical activity, total walking, and other physical activities than non-dog owners (nDOs). Several other dog-related activities were reported by DOs. The most prominent were retrieve work, ball games and agility. Attachment to one’s dogs was not related to total physical activity. However, attachment correlated with higher levels of time spent in dog-related physical activity and dog walking. It can be concluded that, in a German population, DOs are more physically active than nDOs. Attachment seems to correlate with type, but not quantity, of exercise in dog enthusiasts. Several dog-related activities were reported but information about them is still very limited. Therefore, future studies are needed to focus on the intensity and occurrence of these activities in a representative population of DOs in Germany.
Noah’s Syndrome: Systematic Review of Animal Hoarding Disorder
Authors: Nadal Zaida , Ferrari Mónica , Lora Julián , Revollo Alicia , Nicolas Florencia , Astegiano Santiago , Díaz Videla Marcos 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Animal Hoarding Disorder (AHD) is a recently acknowledged psychiatric syndrome regarded as a form of Hoarding Disorder. Despite its great complexity, AHD has been underestimated both within and outside the academic community. This systematic review of the literature will assess some features to give a description of the syndrome. We have selected 26 empirical investigations which have been analyzed for such purpose. Moreover, we have estimated the mean values of some variables such as age (55.6 years old), gender (74.9% women), households (51.8% single-person), unemployment (53.6%), number of animals per case (64.1), presence of dead animals (32.9%) and object hoarding co-morbidity (59.5%). Results will be discussed to highlight AHD particular features, the need for an integrated view around the One Welfare concept and the need for an interdisciplinary approach. Given its complexity, we recommend acknowledging AHD as a separate nosographic entity.
The Human-Dog Bond as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Loneliness and Emotional Well-Being
Authors: Jane Allen Caroline , Hogg Rachel Caroline 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Loneliness is prevalent in contemporary Western society and although it is commonly believed that pets can buffer owners against the effects of loneliness on emotional well-being, empirical research is limited. This study addressed the question of whether loneliness positively predicts the strength of the human-dog bond, and whether the human-dog bond mitigates the deleterious effects of loneliness on emotional well-being. A community sample of Australian pet-dog owners (
N
=639: 123 men, 516 women) aged 18-80 participated in the study. Loneliness was conceptualised as a tri-dimensional construct comprised of social-, family-, and romantic-loneliness, while emotional well-being was operationalised in terms of positive and negative affect. Higher social-loneliness and family-loneliness predicted higher negative affect, and higher levels of all three types of loneliness predicted lower positive affect. Higher levels of family-loneliness and romantic-loneliness predicted a stronger human-dog bond, which in turn predicted higher positive affect. No relationship was evident between the human-dog bond and either social-loneliness or negative affect. The human-dog bond mediated the relationship between family-loneliness and positive affect as well as the relationship between romantic-loneliness and positive affect. These mediating effects were of the suppressor-type, indicating that the human-dog bond mitigated the deleterious effects of family-loneliness and romantic-loneliness on positive affect. These findings demonstrate the importance of conceptualising loneliness as a multi-dimensional construct in future studies regarding loneliness and human-animal relationships.
Personal and Professional Perspectives on the Protective Role of Animals for Transgender Youth: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Wenocur Katharine , Matthews Michelle , Kotak Noopur 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Youth who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, or non-binary (TGNC) are at increased risk for mental health challenges including anxiety, depression, and suicidality; and social challenges including bullying, isolation, and lack of familial support. Best practices in promoting the social and emotional health of TGNC youth are continually evolving, and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) presents a compelling yet untested approach to meeting mental health needs of this population; a group AAT intervention might help TGNC youth who feel isolated to feel more connected and supported. This exploratory study sought to identify thematic content to be included in a future AAT group intervention geared towards TGNC youth, considering both the potential role of human-animal interactions and the identified needs of this population. Three focus groups were convened; one comprised of TGNC adults (N = 8), one of mental health clinicians with advanced training related to transgender mental health (N = 4), and one of certified Animal Assisted Play Therapists® (N = 5). The content of each group was coded thematically using modified grounded theory, and several subthemes emerged under broader themes of 1) the importance of animals in providing emotional support in general and 2) desired social supports that might be beneficial for TGNC youth. These themes inform discussion of possible next steps in the development of an AAT group for TGNC youth.
The Perception and Effect of Aggressive Dog Breeds on Human Social Interactions
Authors: Briones Elizabeth M. , Marshall Philip H. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

During social interactions, one must be able to interpret social signals that convey information and respond appropriately to interactants. Several factors have been shown to influence decisions of interpersonal distance preferences; however, research has yet to determine the associative effects companion animals may have on social information processing during intended interactions. Previous research (
Briones et al., 2022
) distinguished between various breeds of dogs perceived to be higher or lower in aggression, and further showed that people had a greater tendency to interact with dogs perceived to be lower in aggression. The current studies (Study 1
n
= 174; Study 2
n
= 229) were an extension of that research and used computer-simulated avatar interactions to assess the influence of dog breeds and other factors on actual proxemic behavior during goal-related social interactions. Results showed that during social interactions, (a) interactants associated with dog breeds perceived higher in aggressiveness elicited larger interpersonal spaces; (b) closer interpersonal distances are maintained with friends than strangers; (c) greater affinity for dogs, in general, was related to closer proxemic distances; and (d) dog handlers taking the perspective of the approaching interactant results in greater interpersonal distances.
All-dielectric ultra broadband MIMO Luneburg lens with sub-diffraction resolution
Authors: He Xudong , Chen Jin , Chen Mingji , Chu Hongchen , Lai Yun , Fang Daining 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
A 3D-printed ultra-broadband planar Luneburg lens composed of periodic gradient structures is proposed in this paper. Compared to the previous studies, the proposed lens has a pretty large operating frequency range, spanning from 5 to 22 GHz. The measured results of the near-field and far-field illustrate the feasibility and validity of this lens antenna. High efficiency achromatic sub-diffraction focusing with a full-width at half-maximum of 0.3λ and a highly directive far-field radiation pattern with side lobes below −10 dB are achieved. Triple input and triple output function is also realized experimentally.