J.S.J. Odendaal’s research while affiliated with University of Pretoria and other places

Few physiological parameters for positive human-companion animal contact have been identified and those that are established have all been in humans. The implication is that if the physiological reactions are mutual, dogs would experience the same psychological benefits from these neurophysiological changes as humans. Therefore, we have determined the role of certain neurochemicals during affiliation behaviour on an interspecies basis. Our results indicate that concentrations of beta-endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, beta-phenylethylamine, and dopamine increased in both species after positive interspecies interaction, while that of cortisol decreased in the humans only. Indicators of mutual physiological changes during positive interaction between dog lovers and dogs may contribute to a better understanding of the human-animal bond in veterinary practice.

Veterinarians usually attempt to find the direct cause of diseases, trauma or behavioural problems, in order to decide on an appropriate therapeutic regimen. They rarely ask what causes the causes. As in the popular media, one should inquire about the story behind the story. Such an approach will inevitably have an influence on the veterinarian's therapeutic decisions. Owing to the veterinarian's technical skills and all the wonder drugs readily available on the shelves, it has become much easier to impress clients with surgery and medicine. However, if veterinarians thought that their involvement in animal welfare should be merely that of a biological mechanic, they are missing the point.

A sound theoretical basis supported by scientifically measured physiological parameters is needed to gain medical support for animal-assisted therapy. Six neurochemicals associated with a decrease in blood pressure were measured in humans (n=18) and dogs (n=18) before and after positive interaction. Results (P<.05) indicated that in both species the neurochemicals involved with attention-seeking or attentionis egens behavior have increased. This information can be used as a rationale for animal-assisted therapy.

Odendaal J. S. J., S. M. C. L ehmann: The Role of Phenylethylamine during Positive Human-Dog Interaction. Acta Vet. Brno 2000, 69:183-188. Physiological parameters for positive human-companion animal behaviour have been few and limited to changes in humans only. Studies of positive interaction among humans and animals of the same species stated that phenylethylamine could be an additional physiological indicator for such behaviour. The purpose of this study was thus to evaluate this neurotransmitter on an interspecies interaction basis. The method was to use a decrease in blood pressure of between 5- 10% from baseline values as parameter, to measure changes in plasma phenylethylamine during positive interaction between humans (n = 18) and dogs (n = 18). Results indicated that phenylacetic acid, catabolite of β-phenylethylamine, increased significantly (p < 0.05) in both species after interspecies interaction that lasted between 5-24 minutes. If this physiological reaction is mutual, animals used in animal-facilitated therapy can experience the same benefits from such reactions as humans and this is of importance from an animal welfare point of view. Effects on animal welfare and dog ownership have implications in companion animal veterinary practice, because positive interaction between owner and dog may strengthen the psychological bond between the two species. Human-animal interaction, neurotransmitter, affiliation, behaviour

The problem at the South African Police Service Dog Breeding Centre was that most of their progenies were unsuitable as police dogs. Behaviour tests were developed specifically for police dogs to predict their efficiency as adults. Puppies from the age of 8 weeks were exposed to situations that they probably would encounter in their work as police dogs. These experiences included crossing of obstacles, retrieval of objects, startle stimuli and aggression. In the longitudinal study of 2 years it was found that all the tests had statistical significance to a greater or lesser extent, except the gunshot test. The most significant tests were retrieval at 8 weeks and aggression at 9 months. These tests thus enable selection for suitable dogs as early as 8 weeks of age, but not later than 9 months. The conclusion is that reliable tests can predict adult police dog efficiency and in doing so, save unnecessary training and other costs on unsuccessful dogs.

Too often, veterinary services in practice are perceived as making a diagnosis, applying or administering effective treatment and that recovery from a disease or injury is an indication of success. However, to be fully responsive to their patients' welfare, veterinarians should view each patient in the context of its total environment. Enhancing animal welfare and well-being in practice requires evaluation of the animals' interaction with their daily surroundings as an integral part of clinical medicine. Animal health in this sense would be to create an equilibrium between the animal and its environment. A clinical diagnosis alone can be described as the smaller diagnosis, while a contextual diagnosis can be described as the larger diagnosis. The linear approach of diagnosis, treatment, success should be changed to the holistic approach of comprehensive care. Only then can veterinarians claim that they pursued fully their patients' welfare as part of everyday practice.

Animal welfare is a human responsibility and an ethical matter which is decided by people concerned about animals. The human factor in practice could thus play an important part in the way veterinarians are involved in animal welfare issues in their practices. In order to understand the human side of practice, it could be analyzed as a social system, operating in larger systems. The basic system consists of three parts, which are connected with other subsystems. The three parts are the minimum requirements for creating a veterinary consultation situation, namely the veterinarian, animal patient and human client. These parts do not interact in a closed system, but every part could be influenced by factors outside the consultation situation, namely: the veterinarian by a family, administration, staff, colleagues, professional societies and the community; the client by a family, the specific human–animal interaction, socio-economical background and emotional mood; the patient by its breed, gender, age, socialization and training. These factors influencing the patient during a consultation could be determined by the owner's choice. Of all these 18 parts, only one deals directly with the animal's problem and the other 17 parts deal with human factors. By recognizing these parts and understanding their interactions and influences, the veterinarian can manage the practice more successfully. The veterinarian is expected to keep these parts in balance via typical cybernetic principles in order to optimize output and profit. This, however, is only possible if the human aspect of veterinary practice is fully realized, including people's concern about animal welfare and well-being.

Veterinary clinical ethology is a relatively new field in veterinary practice; with the development of a new discipline, problems often arise regarding diagnosis and the use of terminology. This article proposes a diagnostic system that can be applied by practitioners and researchers. The classification is divided into six main etiologic categories of behavior problems: (1) problems of a genetic origin, (2) problems caused during the animal's developmental stages, (3) ethogram deviations, (4) disturbed social interaction, (5) disease-related behavior, and (6) adaptation inabilities. Conditions may overlap, and all categories involved in a diagnosis should be mentioned for the sake of clarity and completeness.

Digging of holes by dogs can be a serious and unacceptable behavioural problem for dog owners. It is therefore important that practitioners understand the different motivations for such behaviour, in order to be able to offer practical advice to dog owners. If the behavioural problem can be solved, this can secure the bond between companion animal and owner.