Can working with inmates reduce stress in shelter dogs? A new study by d’Angelo et al. (2021) shows that Animal Assisted Interventions may benefit dogs, too — not just humans.
Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) have long been praised for their positive effects on human mental health. But what about the dogs involved in these programs — especially those from stressful environments like shelters?
A study by d’Angelo et al. (2021) aimed to explore exactly that. Five shelter dogs in Southern Italy took part in a two-month AAI program involving weekly visits to a prison, where they interacted with adult inmates. The researchers measured salivary cortisol levels — a biomarker for stress — in three scenarios: baseline (in the kennel), after transportation, and post-session.
The results? At the end of the program, cortisol levels in the kennel environment were significantly lower than before, suggesting that regular structured human interaction had a calming, welfare-enhancing effect on these dogs.
However, not all aspects of the process were stress-free. The act of transportation from the kennel to the prison caused a temporary spike in cortisol levels. This indicates that while AAI activities themselves may be enriching, certain logistical phases — like transit — require thoughtful management to minimise stress.
In short, this exploratory study offers an important insight: well-designed AAI programs may improve the quality of life for shelter dogs. But welfare must be monitored holistically — considering not just the outcomes, but also the transitions along the way.
Cortisol Levels of Shelter Dogs in Animal Assisted Interventions in a Prison: An Exploratory Study.
Animals, 11. Published 2021-01-29.
