Year: 2023
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Research shows that individuals who are accompanied by a dog are perceived more positively compared to when they are alone in multiple contexts, including in photographs, vignettes and in public. A similar effect has been observed for therapists. Previous research demonstrated that therapists were perceived more positively in video vignettes when their dogs were seen with them. Further research demonstrated that therapists were perceived more positively when their dogs were physically present at the time of filming videos compared to when they were not, even when the dogs were not visible to participants. This suggested that perceptions of therapists may not only improve because of their dogs, but also because of the influence of dog presence on therapists’ personal presentations. Though this research provided further insight into the influence of dogs on perceptions of therapists, the limited research that exists on this effect is inconsistent. Thus, further research is necessary to understand it. Part 1 investigated the effects of therapists having just spent time with their dogs and discovered that therapists were perceived more favourably by participants after the therapists just spent time with their dogs compared to before the therapists spent time with their dogs. Part 2 investigated potential changes in the effect of dog presence depending on whether participants could see the dogs in the video vignettes, and found that dog visibility improved perceptions of therapists, but not willingness to disclose to therapists. Part 3 utilized semi-structured interviews to investigate changes in therapist characteristics in video vignettes when their dogs were present but not visible to participants. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed most participants preferred the therapists in the presence of their dogs, despite their dogs not being visible, because they smiled more, made more eye contact, and appeared more friendly, enthusiastic, and relatable, among other characteristics. A summary of the themes identified when comparing the therapists’ presentations in the presence and absence of their dogs is provided. The findings suggest that dog presence may be a helpful addition to the therapeutic process for therapists either by integration into their pre-session rituals or by accompanying therapists in session.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Isenstein, Sari Genny Elana
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132911459