animal welfare in research: assessing the impact of AAI on equines
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ABOUT REINING IN ANXIETY. I was part of a New York University-based research team that conducted the clinical trial, Reining in Anxiety (RiA), conducted at and in partnership with Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, testing the effects of a CBT-based adaptive riding intervention to assess its impact on youth anxiety. The goal of the study was to test the reliability of RiA with youth, and the feasibility of new methods of saliva sampling in synchronous samples from horses, riders, and volunteers (referred to as triad sample) at a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), premiere accredited facility. To address the call for inclusion of animal welfare in social science research, the study tested a modified bit for saliva collection in horses to analyze three primary analytes (cortisol, alpha-amylase, and oxytocin) to assess the stress levels of equines participating in the study.
ASSESSING EQUINE WELFARE. The study also assessed the impact of the intervention on equine welfare. I researched methods for collecting equine saliva, located a team in Spain doing this work, and set up a research meeting with the Spain-based team. Dr. Contreras-Aguilar and colleagues provided the details on developing a modified bit to collect horse saliva, which was reproduced by staff at Fieldstone Farm. |
Findings (Acri et al., 2022) suggest that the bit method is viable to collect saliva, but the apparatus should be adjusted to allow for increased saliva to be collected. The data support the calls to action to: include physiological feedback through saliva sampling; the inclusion of animal welfare analysis within human-animal interaction research. This physiological method has the potential to provide insight into if RiA has a directional impact on the concordance of stress between children/riders, volunteers, and horses.
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animal welfare in practice: the 4-H positive youth development program
Animal welfare is of highest priority in the Ohio 4-H program, the nation's largest youth development program. The new Assuring Quality Care for Animals programs merged the current state-mandated Youth Food Animal Quality Assurance program --
with animal handling, care, and welfare principles.
As a 4-H Club Advisor, I have been responsible for ensuring that 4-H involved in both livestock production or companion animal/show animal prioritize animal welfare. Alongside other 4-H advisors, we ensure that all 4-Her complete the annual 4-H Quality Care for Animals (formerly Quality Assurance).
As the Volunteer Leader of the Cuyahoga County 4-H Pet Pals Program, I am responsible for assisting 4-H youth in selecting and training appropriate companion animals that accompany youth on visits to assisted living. All animals, prior to visitation, are required to have a health certification, as well as pass a Socialized Pet Pals Test, insuring that they both meet standards for visitation, but also that they are a good fit for the assisted living environment in which they will work.
with animal handling, care, and welfare principles.
As a 4-H Club Advisor, I have been responsible for ensuring that 4-H involved in both livestock production or companion animal/show animal prioritize animal welfare. Alongside other 4-H advisors, we ensure that all 4-Her complete the annual 4-H Quality Care for Animals (formerly Quality Assurance).
As the Volunteer Leader of the Cuyahoga County 4-H Pet Pals Program, I am responsible for assisting 4-H youth in selecting and training appropriate companion animals that accompany youth on visits to assisted living. All animals, prior to visitation, are required to have a health certification, as well as pass a Socialized Pet Pals Test, insuring that they both meet standards for visitation, but also that they are a good fit for the assisted living environment in which they will work.
