Are animal-assisted activity dogs different from pet dogs? A comparison of their sociocognitive abilities

Animal-assisted activities (AAAs) refer to a variety of interactions between animals and humans, intended to improve people's well-being providing recreational or educational opportunities. Domestic dogs are one of the most commonly used animals for these kinds of interventions, given their trainability and the positive effects of dog-human interactions. Nevertheless, the selection of participating animals is mainly unsystematic, and training is not required for dogs to take part in AAAs. Previous studies suggest that high sociability as well as reduced fear and aggression are desirable traits in AAA dogs.
Source: Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Research Source Type: research