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ANTHROPOMORPHISM IN SERVICE AND THERAPY DOGS

This article analyzes the concept of anthropomorphism in service and therapy dogs, examining the history of trained animals, the benefits of therapeutic animal interactions, the history of service animals, and personal perspectives on anthropomorphism.

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ANTHROPOMORPHISM IN SERVICE AND THERAPY DOGS

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  1. Allison Pianosi, Bradley Hakim, Syed Jafri ANTHROPOMORPHISM IN SERVICE AND THERAPY DOGS Analyzing Anthropomorphism LB 492

  2. History of Trained Animals – Why Dogs? • Domestication of the dog in history • Modern day dog: Canis familiaris • “dogs may have developed the ability to read human social and communication cues through a process known as convergent evolution” (Anderson 25) • “Ancient dogs possibly mastered their ability to find food by reading human cues as part of their successful collaboration with humans” (Anderson 25) http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Animals/DogsTable.jpg

  3. Empathetic Animals? • “Limbic resonance” (Anderson 43) • Read human emotional states • Scenario: • Girl reading her poem out loud to dog, and the dog wags tail and licks the girl in response - “what the dog is really feeling is not as important as how his behavior is perceived. .. • [rather], the subjective, psychological reality. . . is more important than the external realities of the situation in this case” (Anderson 22) http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2009/02/Westminster%20Dog%20Show%202009%2031.JPG

  4. Therapeutic Animal Benefits • “studies show that the elderly. . . benefit from interacting with animals” (Anderson 11) • “Animals interactions have been shown in research to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, improve recovery time from cardiovascular disease, increase exercise, forestall symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and prevent acute health crises, such as seizures and panic attacks” (Anderson 121) http://www.wsfcu.org/files/html/images/old%20man%20and%20dog.jpg

  5. Therapeutic Animal Benefits (cont.) • Increased survival one year after heart attack in those who owned a dog vs. those who did not (Friedmann and Katcher) • Blood levels of epinephrine, a stress hormone, fell 17% in patients visited by a dog vs. those visited by a human; 7% increase in control group with no visitors (Steers et al.) http://img.webmd.boots.com/dtmcms/live/webmd_uk/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/energy_mood_boost_diet_slideshow/getty_rm_photo_of_man_riding_bike_with_dog.jpg

  6. Service Animal History • ADA defines as “any animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.”(Duncan et al 304) • First formally trained service dogs – guide dogs in Germany during WWI.(Duncan et al 304) • 1950s – Guide dogs gained acceptance in America • 1960s – Aid people with hearing loss • 1970s- Aid those with mobility impairments • 1980s – Aid those with seizures, mental/emotional needs, diabetes • Out of 45 million individuals only 0.03% use service animals(Duncan et al 305) • Half are guide animals • “Intelligent Disobedience”

  7. Methods • Service Animals • Interviewed individuals • 2 guide dog users • 1 service dog user – for sight and mobility limitations • 1 service dog trainer and grief counselor • Open ended questions • Percent tool vs. friend? • Dog’s emotions, thoughts, decisions, etc. • Anecdotal evidence • Therapy Animals • Visited patients with certified visitor dog, Nick • Surveyed 5 patients at Burchum Hill Center for Health and Rehab • Open ended questions

  8. Johnny S. • History – Partially blind and mobility limitations since 15 – mishap during surgical procedure. Dog named Johnny – Yellow Labrador Retriever - former police dog. • Anthropomorphism: Frequent • Former police dog – trained to ‘think’ • Pets aren’t as ‘smart’ • Trainers try to ‘train the dog out of them’ • Dogs can ‘read’ people • Emotions – Not the same as us, but still do have them • Guide dog’s rights • Psychological vs. Physical benefits • 30% tool; 70% friend

  9. Cheryl W. • History: Blind since birth. Used cane until 19. Has had 5 dogs – currently a German Sheppard named Harper • Anthropomorphism: Moderate • Previous dog, Scout – ‘We were almost the same person. He was a smarter dog than I was a person.’ • 3rd dog was, ‘stupid’. He never learned to ‘agree’ to be a guide dog • Criteria for guide dog • Importance of Trust • GPS • 60% tool, 40% friend

  10. Martha H. • History: Blind since birth. Used cane until 19. Has had 3 dogs - currently a senior college student. Dog is a Black Lab named Dee • Anthropomorphism: Very little • Did not ascribe a voice to the dog very often. • Dog can reason - intelligent disobedience • Busy streets and construction. • Right and Wrong? • Like children, “What I want is what I want.” • Not exactly like a friend, it’s not the same as a human friend; however, pets can be friends. • Dee “works the best out of all of them” • 50% Tool: 50% Friend

  11. Judy C. • History: • Licensed Handler, trainer with Leader Dogs • Show-dog history • Compulsion training, positive reinforcement • Anthropomorphism: Very little • Dogs raised by volunteers • Transition period: emotion vs. confusion • Intelligent Disobedience • Requests, demands • “If reincarnation exists, I would like to come back as a dog because I think I know, but then I would really know” http://www.leaderdog.org/images/logo.gif

  12. Burcham Hills Pet Therapy • Much more anthropomorphic/naturalistic • Views were greatly influenced by past experiences • Ex. Grew up on farm – animals must serve purpose • Ex. Always had pets growing up - loved them • “I observe and have experiences with them.” • Have feelings and thoughts, but in a ‘doggy’ way http://www.burchamhills.com/images/about%20us.jpg

  13. Burcham Hills Pet Therapy (cont.) • Nursing staff • Most talked to dog in a baby voice • It was a tool to make people happier • Dog was interactive and spontaneous making the time more interesting Nick, the dog we worked with

  14. Supplemental Research • Studies show that the psychological benefits of service animals are important • People with mobility disabilities viewed the practical benefits as very important and “they rated emotional the aspects as extremely important,”(Valentine et al 313) • Similar Anthropomorphic findings • Helps people feel close and connected to the animal • “He’s just kind of the way I am…”(Sanders 44) • Whether trainers viewed dogs as more stimulus-response or as thoughtful, emotional beings with unique personalities, they all seemed to see the dog as a “relatively simple creature.”(Sanders 98)

  15. Conclusions • People tend to naturally anthropomorphize • In general, when people are asked to think about what they are saying they will anthropomorphize less • It is very individually based. • Past experiences with animals. • The amount you depend on or work with animals seems to be inversely proportional with the amount of anthropomorphism • Does not mean they do not think that they feel or think, but are less likely to say it is the same as a human.

  16. Anthropomorphic Spectrum Ethologist Naturalist Complete Blindness Sight/Mobility Limitations Trainer Pet Therapy

  17. Final Thoughts Be careful labeling the unique relationship a person has with their service animal… • “People have often tried to find the human equivalent to the relationship I have with Winnie, but there isn’t one. People ask me if she’s my friend, or if she’s more like my child. Winnie is my eyes. What is your relationship with your eyes?” (Sanders 58)

  18. Special Thanks to.. • We would like to thank Johnny, Cheryl, Martha, Judy, the Burcham Hills staff and residents, and the audience – thank you for your attention.

  19. References: • Duncan, Susan L and Karen Allen. "Service Animals and Their Roles in Enhancing Independence, Quality of Life, and Employment for People with Disabilities." Handbook on Animal-assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice. Ed. Aubrey H. Fine. San Diego: Academic, 2000.. • Sanders, Clinton R. Understanding Dogs: Living and Working with Canine Companions. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1999. • Anderson, P. Elizabeth. The Powerful Bond between People and Pets. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2008. • A.H. Katcher and E. Friedmann, Potential health value of pet ownership, Compendium of continuing education for the veterinarian 2 (1980); E. Friedmann and A. H. Katcher, Animal companions and one year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit, Public Health Report 95 (1980). • K. Cole, A. Gawlinkski, and N. Steers, Animal assisted therapy decreases hemodynamics, plasma epinephrine, and state anxiety in hospitalized heart failure patients. Paper presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, Dallas, TX, November 15, 2005. • Valentine, D.P., Kiddo, M., and LaFleur, B. “Psychosocial Implications of Service Dogs for People who have Mobility or Hearing Impairments.” Social Work and Health Care, 19:109-125 (1993)

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