Canine Ergonomics


Book Description

Since Canis lupus familiaris first shared a fire with man more than 15,000 years ago, dogs have been trusted and valued coworkers. Yet the relatively new field of canine ergonomics is just beginning to unravel the secrets of this collaboration. As with many new fields, the literature on working dogs is scattered across several non-overlapping disci




Human-Canine Collaboration in Care


Book Description

Adopting an anthrozoological perspective to study the participation of non-human animals in regimes of care, this book examines the use of canine scent detection to alert 'hypo-unaware' individuals to symptoms of human chronic illness. Based on ethnographic research and interviews, it focuses on the manner in which trained assistance dogs are able to use their sense of smell to alert human companions with Type 1 diabetes to imminent hypoglycaemic episodes, thus reducing the risk of collapse into unconsciousness, coma or, at worst, death. Through analyses of participant narrations of the everyday complexities of 'doing' diabetes with the assistance of medical alert dogs, the author sheds light on the way in which each human-canine dyad becomes acknowledged as a team of ‘one’ in society. Based on the concept of dogs as friends and work colleagues, as animate instruments and biomedical resources, the book raises conceptual questions surrounding the acceptable use of animals and their role within society. As such, this volume will appeal to scholars across the social sciences with interests in human-animal interactions and intersections. It may also appeal to healthcare practitioners and individuals interested in innovative multispecies methods of managing chronic illness.




Dogs of Courage


Book Description

A celebration of the amazing canines who perform feats of bravery every day Dogs don't just make lovable pets. They also work at an incredible number of jobs, helping humans in countless ways. From working with search-and-rescue teams to find missing persons to helping patients recover from injuries, Lisa Rogak covers the many ways in which dogs are an essential part of our world. And she tells the surprising stories of regular dogs who have gone above and beyond to help their owners—and even each other. Dogs of Courage reveals the heartwarming and awe-inspiring stories of these hard-working dogs, from the training they receive to the ways we honor their sacrifices and reward their years of service. Affirming what every dog lover knows, this book shows how deep a dog's loyalty and friendship can go.




Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice


Book Description

Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice Enables the entire veterinary team to seamlessly incorporate integrative medicine into everyday practice Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice is a unique resource designed to introduce the basic concepts of ten different integrative modalities to all members of the hospital team to establish a baseline of knowledge: explaining how patients will benefit from their use, discussing return on investment, informing veterinarians of available courses and suggested reading materials, walking managers through staff training, and providing client education materials. Supplemental web-based documents and presentations increase the ease with which staff are trained and clients are educated. Integrative medicine is not an all-or-nothing concept. This umbrella term encompasses a wide spectrum of treatment modalities. Therapies can be used individually or in combination, as part of a multimodal approach, and applied easily to every patient or used in select cases. Sample topics covered in Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice include: Photobiomodulation, covering light, laser specifics, mechanisms of action, supplies and equipment, and techniques Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT), covering pain in veterinary patients, mechanisms of action, adjustment vs. manipulation vs. mobilization, techniques, and post-adjustment recommendations Acupuncture, covering acupuncture point selection using traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) and Western medicine techniques, mechanisms of action, safety, and practical applications. Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), covering TCVM fundamentals as it applies to herbal classification and selection, herb production, safety, and formulation, and CHM applications. Integrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice is a valuable resource for all veterinary hospital team members, from customer service representatives to veterinary assistants/technicians, practice managers, and veterinarians. The text is also helpful to veterinary students interested in integrative medicine, or those taking introductory integrative medicine courses.




Dog Behaviour, Evolution, and Cognition


Book Description

This is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. The author presents a new ecological approach to the understanding of dog behaviour, demonstrating how dogs can be the subject of rigorous and productive scientific study without the need to confine them to a laboratory environment. This second, fully updated edition of Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition starts with an overview of the conceptual and methodological issues associated with the study of the dog, followed by a brief description of their role in human society. An evolutionary perspective is then introduced with a summary of current research into the process of domestication. The central part of the book is devoted to issues relating to the cognitive aspects of behaviour which have received particular attention in recent years from both psychologists and ethologists. The book's final chapters introduce the reader to many novel approaches to dog behaviour, set in the context of behavioural development and genetics. This second edition recognises and discusses the fact that dogs are increasingly being used as model organisms for studying aspects of human biology, such as genetic diseases and ageing. Specific attention is also given in this edition to attachment behaviour which emerges between humans and dogs, the importance of inter-specific communication in the success of dogs in human communities and the broad aspects of social cognition and how this may contribute to human-dog cooperation Directions for future research are highlighted throughout the text which also incorporates links to human and primate research by drawing on homologies and analogies in both evolution and behaviour. The book will therefore be of relevance and use to anyone with an interest in behavioural ecology including graduate students of animal behaviour and cognition, as well as a more general audience of dog enthusiasts, biologists, psychologists, veterinarians, and sociologists.







Death, Decomposition, and Detector Dogs


Book Description

Death, Decomposition, and Detector Dogs: From Science to Scene is designed to help police investigators and Human Remains Detection K9 handlers understand the basics of forensic taphonomy (decomposition) and how to most effectively use a human remains detection (HRD) K9 as a locating tool. The book covers basic anatomy and the physiology of canine olfaction along with some of the unique characteristics that allow a dog to work. Using concise and understandable explanations along with numerous photographs, the book covers the stages of decomposition and how they are affected by the environment; what is currently understood about the chemical profile of odor from human remains; how weather, topography, ground cover and terrain can affect odor dispersion; and different types of mapping and weather data that can be used before and during deployment of the HRD K9. The final chapter ties it all together by providing case reports about decedents who have been found in different locations in a variety of environmental conditions. By learning how these variables can affect how and what is found, handlers and investigators will be better prepared to meet the challenges of their jobs.




Canine Olfaction Science and Law


Book Description

The value of the canine nose is well-documented, and working dogs are being utilized for their olfactory skills in an increasing number of fields. Not only are dogs used by police, security, and the military, but they are also now used in forensic science, in medical detection of disease, in calculating population trends of endangered species and e




Canine Cognition and the Human Bond


Book Description

Dogs are a valued part of millions of households worldwide. They also serve many functions in human societies from herding livestock to detecting drugs, explosives, or illegal wildlife to providing physical assistance or emotional support to those in need. Yet, in terms of behavior and cognition, dogs have only become a serious subject of scientific study in the last 20 years. Similarly, we have recently witnessed a sharp increase in studies of canine-human interaction, exploring the motivational, emotional, cognitive, physiological, and neural mechanisms of dogs on human psychology and well-being. This book is a collection of chapters stemming from the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation, which focused on Canine Cognition and the Human Bond. The primary goal of this symposium was to bring together researchers from psychology, biology, neuroscience, and anthropology to delve deeper into the canine-human bond. These chapters describe the current state of knowledge from international experts in the fields of canine cognition and canine-human interaction. Bridging these two areas can help us better understand the canine-human bond, potentially improving the lives of both dogs and people.




Canine Behaviour in Mind: Applying Behavioural Science to Our Lives with Dogs


Book Description

Intended for dog owners who want to learn more, Canine Behaviour in Mind provides practical ideas that can be incorporated in daily interactions with dogs. Canine Behaviour in Mind presents advice on behavioural change in achievable and creative ways. It examines how the way we live and work with dogs may need adjusting to promote positive behavioural change in the animal as well as better welfare. Case studies with experts are included to guide readers in real-world situations. Scientific research is combined with trainer experience to ensure that the book has science at its heart and provides content of interest to a wide range of dog owners and professionals. Equine Behaviour in Mind by the same editor has garnered some unique reviews. Canine Behaviour in Mind follows the same format, relating dog behaviour to dog ownership. 5m Books