Salivary Cortisol Interactions in Search and Rescue Dogs and Their Handlers

Abstract

Search and rescue dogs are an important link in the search for missing persons. The aim of the study was to assess exam stress in search and rescue dogs and their handlers. The study included 41 rescue teams taking exams of field and rubble specialties. The level of cortisol, which is the main glucocorticosteroid modulating stress reactions in humans and dogs, was analyzed. The biological material used to assess the hormone concentration was saliva collected in a non-invasive way. In total, 164 test samples were collected: two from the dog and two from the handler before and immediately after the exam. Rescue exams were shown to significantly increase salivary cortisol in both dogs and their handlers. Strong interactions between cortisol levels in human–dog teams were also found with a more pronounced effect in female dog–female handler dyads.

How Do Avalanche Dogs (and Their Handlers) Cope with Physical Exercise? Heart Rate Changes during Endurance in a Snowy Environment

“…Surprisingly, the handlers did not significantly increase their HR compared to baseline when climbing above 2100 m.a.s.l. Few authors have studied the synchronization between dog and human physiological parameters [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 20 ]. These previous works mainly evaluated the human–dog correlations of hormone levels concerning changes in emotional states [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Few authors have studied the synchronization between dog and human physiological parameters [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 20 ]. These previous works mainly evaluated the human–dog correlations of hormone levels concerning changes in emotional states [ 17 , 18 ]. Recently, Carballo et al [ 41 ] demonstrated that handler stress influenced not only the behavior but also the HR of working dogs during search and rescue tasks.…”

“…Finally, in a real work environment, the handler could influence the dog’s physiological condition in several ways. A role, for example, could be played by the approach of the handler during and following a trial, including affiliative or punitive behaviors [ 16 , 17 ] and his personality or moods [ 18 , 19 ]. Some authors have also hypothesized a sort of synchronization of emotional states capable of influencing the dog’s physical and cognitive performance [ 17 , 20 ].…”

Does Experience Make Hucul Horses More Resistant to Stress? A Pilot Study

“…To assess the occurrence of stress in horses, the concentration of pituitary–adrenal axis hormones determined in saliva is increasingly used [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Non-invasive methods for assessment of stress response increasing, e.g., the level of free transcortin-unbound cortisol [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], are used in other animal species as well [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Such biological material is sampled with no additional pain, stress, or discomfort and the material can be collected by non-veterinarians [ 9 , 11 , 17 ].…”

Buffering PTSD in Canine Search and Rescue Teams? Associations with Resilience, Sense of Coherence, and Societal Acknowledgment

“…Although the setting and goals of AAI and voluntary canine search and rescue deployment are significantly different, these results suggest that the presence of canines can have a beneficial effect on PTSD. Additionally, there appears to be a strong interaction between the stress levels of dogs and their handlers [ 29 ]. Taken together, both findings highlight the particularities of voluntary dog handlers, as opposed to other rescue workers, and emphasize the necessity of taking a closer look at this particular subgroup.…”