|
|
Prenatal stress in the farm animals
Tylová, Barbora ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Hradec, Michal (referee)
This bachelor thesis presents summary information about prenatal stress in farm animals, more precisely in ruminants. The thesis is based on scientific papers and literature. Prenatal stress is divided according to stressors that can affect animals in agriculture like transport, manipulation, diet restriction, isolation, social instability and heat stress. The work describes principles of how the stress is transmitted from mother to the fetus, how the stress affects them and to what extent. Scientific articles confirmed the effect of prenatal stress on placental development (Baxter et al., 2016 ; McCrabb and Bortolussi, 1997) birth weight (Roussel et al., 2004; Duuvaux Ponter et al., 2003) nervous system (Weinstock, 2001; Baxter et al. 2016) and the offspring behavior (Roussel Huchette et al., 2008; Laporte Broux et al., 2012; Coulon et al., 2011). As pregnant females were in most of the cases exposed to a mild stress (compared to previous experiments on laboratory animals) the effect on offspring had a little impact on the body that proved to be beneficial. Some studies showed that abnormalities that were measured after birth were not proven at later age.
|
|
|
Effect of the animal assisted activity and therapy on the children with autism
Šámalová, Magdaléna ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Machová, Kristýna (referee)
This bachelor thesis provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of Animal assisted activity and therapy on the children with autism (especially to the quality of their lives). All the information included in this thesis are obtained from the latest sources.
Animal assisted activity and therapy is a therapeutic approach based on the interaction between human and animal. Even though the nomenclature in the field of animal assisted activity and therapy is not yet fully solved, many studies indicate that this approach has a positive impact on patients with psychic, psychosomatic and somatic disorders. Animal assisted activity and therapy finds its applications in many fields, for example in psychology, psychiatry, social pedagogy and so on.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be positively affected by animal assisted activity and therapy. Studies show that improvement of the quality of some aspects of their lives can be achieved by contact with dogs, horses, guinea-pigs and some other animals. Because positive impact has been reported for many different kinds of animals, animal assisted activity and therapy has become popular supportive therapeutic technique ant its popularity is still increasing. The therapy is focused mainly on social behavior and communication abilities.
Even though we still do not have sufficient experience with this approach and also have to deal with many problems such as insufficient number of patients with the same diagnose or biased measurements, the results are optimistic and the number of studies dealing with this approach is increasing.
|
|
|
The effect of the dog-asissted activity in children disorders of psychological development during education
Schwarzová, Kristýna ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Katerina, Katerina (referee)
The goal of the thesis was to find out if dog´s presence and the targeted work of a child with a dog helps improve children´s attention to teaching and their results. The majority of academic literature shows that dog assisted therapy constitutes a clear benefit for children. However, the research on this topic is still in its infancy and the literature is still relatively limited.
The thesis deals with the interactions of a child and a dog, especially in the case of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorders (SPU), and autistic spectrum disorders (PAS). The general conclusion of the existing literature is that animal assisted therapy with the dog helps children with ADHD improve their fine motor skills, increases their attention, decreases aggressiveness, and helps to improve speech disorders. But it is not clear what the impact on other types of disorders is. This thesis first focuses on reviewing the existing literature and its main results that mostly confirm the positive influence of involving the dog in therapy by all observed disorders. The second part of the thesis deals with experimental verification of the hypothesis of a positive influence the dog´s presence and the targeted work of 8 children in the age of 7-9 years from a special school has on attention and behavior in the classroom. Four of the children were diagnosed with ADHD, two with SPU, and two with an autistic spectrum disorder. The experiment was carried out two times a week, and focused on observing the extent of children´s concentration on the given task, calming down, attention while solving the assignments, and reduction of negative physical contacts among observed subjects. The data collection took place during regular classes. Once in a week, the class was preceded by the animal assisted therapy with the dog, which formed the treatment group. The second session in the week was not preceded by any therapy to establish the control group for the experiment. The results verify our hypothesis by revealing the strengthening of the positive influence of teaching on the observed skills of the children. The positive influence of the dog is supported by the fact that the children achieved more success in its presence. However, further research on larger samples and children from other age categories is needed.
|
|
|
Welfare of cattle
Tajzichová, Nikola ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Ilona, Ilona (referee)
The thesis Welfare of cattle is focused on well-being of the dairy cattle, specifically from the professional expert perspective, representing these days one of the very actual quality of cattle breeding factor. The objective of the thesis was to summarise the newest expert findings in the area of dairy cattle welfare and to find out Czech Republic breeders opinion on the dairy cattle welfare assessment and on the suitability of criteria for such assessment.
Cattle breeding represents one of the main sectors of the animal production, which serves as the primary source of milk, cheese and meat products. The quality of these products is directly dependant on the well-being of the cattle, which is at the same time essentially important for its complex good health condition, both physical and mental. In my thesis,
I have focused on the animal welfare as such, and I analyse it in detail from different perspectives. The thesis also addresses the important evaluation project Welfare Quality, whose methodology could become a foundation for standardization of cattle well-being assessment and its certification by means of passporting products quality and origin. Further, the thesis elaborates on the alternatives of such products welfare passportisation, which could also provide for authentication of products quality and welfare of animals in the studs.
I have used questionnaires for the empirical research, by means of which the dairy cattle breeders were interviewed. The questionnaires were composed of questions pertaining to basic information on concrete breeder and the stud, health condition of the animals, opinion of the breeder on animal welfare and suitable criteria for dairy cattle welfare assessment, and also questions addressing management and production characteristics of the stud. The thesis confirms the necessity of improvement of the awareness and knowledgeability of the breeders about the animals welfare, but also the need of animals life conditions improvement, and consequently the benefits of the introduction of welfare standardization and evaluation by means of all interested parties participation, and possibly also introduction of some form of certification of the quality and origin of the product, with respect to welfare.
|
|
|
Analyze of the selection tests in dogs
Kadlecová, Irena ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Hradecká, Lenka (referee)
The aim of the diploma thesis is to assess and analyse the value of the character test in general, both in the Czech Republic and Sweden. Their quality to reveal the real personality, emotional stability, fear reactivity and aggressive reactions. Czech character test is required as a condition for breeding for both Belgian and Australian shepherds by the Belgian Shepherd Club of Czech Republic. The aim of the analysis is to measure the differences between the tasks and the results of the Czech character test and highly-developed Swedish Mental test that reveals the character in a more complex way and is generally more demanding also from time management side. Furthermore the analysis explores the possible relation between the results of the character tests and trial performance in dogs undergoing this research.
The testing ran in three terms, while both tests were conducted in a single day for each participant. The target group were owners of Belgian and Australian shepherds with dogs between 1 to 4 years old. The total number of tested dogs is 17. The Swedish test proved higher connectivity of the tasks (high correlations) as wells as higher results variability between tested animals as opposite of the Czech test.
The results of this pilot project study did not show any connection between the high score in the test and higher probability of passing the working exam, although this result can be influenced by low number of animals tested and their lower age.
This study works as pilot applied research to increase the effectivity and simplify the testing of working dogs, however, it is essential for next stages of research to focus on concrete parts of the test and their connectivity to the dog behaviour in a given situation.
|
|
|
Use of Dog in Physiotherapy
Sokolíková, Eliška ; Machová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Chaloupková, Helena (referee)
The theme of the bachelor`s thesis is the possibility to use the dog in diverse areas and activities of physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy is a part of the comprehensive rehabilitation and deals with diagnostics, therapy and prevention of musculoskeletal system disorders. The physiotherapists apply a lot of supportive therapeutic methods in their practice and cooperate with other disciplines so that the best possible results of treatment are achieved. Animal- assisted therapy (AAT), thanks to positive effect on human health, has become in recent years a very popular supportive therapeutic method of various difficulties. The AAT is gaining its position in physiotherapeutic area as well.
The dog, one of the most frequently used animals in AAT, can assist in many fields of physiotherapy. What quality must the dog applicable for AAT meet and the theories about effect of AAT on human beings are also described in the thesis. The topic about the dog assisted rehabilitation is thoroughly depicted on particular examples and the chapter about positioning with dogs, that is the most common application of dogs in therapies, is not missing. The chapter about assistance dogs for people with moving difficulties can serve as a proof that the dog, as a part of physiotherapeutic care, can be present not only during therapies. The dog in this case has become an everyday assistant and can substitute various walking tools (crutches, walkers) or help people in wheelchairs with movement. The thesis is also mapping impact of dog ownership on motoric activity. The conclusion of literary research is dedicated to the chapter examining influence of the therapy on the dog itself.
The practical part, which is attached as an integral section of the thesis, contains three designs of canistherapeutical units for various groups of clients within physiotherapy field. Canistherapeutical units were designed in collaboration with physiotherapists so that it can maximize the effect of AAT on the musculoskeletal system. These designs are: plan of the therapy for children with Down syndrome, spastic form of cerebral palsy and for children with developmental dysphasia.
|
|
|
Use of Dog in Occupational Therapy
Fílová, Zuzana ; Machová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Chaloupková, Helena (referee)
Main topics of the bachelor´s thesis are possible ways of the dog´s use in occupational therapy. Occupational therapy, as a therapeutic method, its history, definition and main goals are described in the thesis. The following part is depicting animal assisted therapies, their application and functioning principles.
Various studies show that animal assisted therapies have a whole range of positive effects on clients´ physical and mental health as well as they can help clients with social integration. All these areas simultaneously belong to occupational therapy practice and comply with main goals of occupational therapy. Thus use of dogs in occupational therapy has been well justified.
Possible ways of dog´s use in occupational therapy in area of mental health are listed in the thesis, such as the effect of the presence of the dog on the psychological well-being of patients and the use of dog to relieve the feeling of inferiority among mentally ill patients.
The dog also seems to be very appropriate and effective incentive element for communication and cooperation with the therapeutist and social interaction. The dog can also motivate people to physical activity.
Possible ways of dog´s use in occupational therapy in area of physical health are also listed in the thesis. This work describes the effect of the dog to cope with pain in hospitalized patients. Very important is the use of the dog as a compensatory tool.
In this thesis is mentioned that the animal assisted therapies and the use of the dog in occupational therapy needs further research supported by adequate evidence.
Integral parts of the thesis are several designs of canistherapeutical units, which show particular use of the dog in occupational therapy. These canistherapeutical units were designed in collaboration with occupational therapists.
|
|
|
The use of dogs in special schools
Kobylková, Anna ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Machová, Kristýna (referee)
This thesis focuses on the possibilities of the use of dogs for children from special schools, especially children with autism spectrum disorder. Besides the literature review, a survey of knowledge of the use of dogs in special schools in the Czech Republic was also carried out and also how this is eventually implemented in practice.
The first part presents the review of existing data about the implementation of animal-assisted intervention for children with disabilities. At first inconsistent terminology is described, then selected types of disabilities and requirements regarding the dogs used in animal assisted interventions. For example the fact, that dogs are very appropriate for positive interactions with people, or that proper selection and training of the dogs is necessary. Thereafter are summarized studies about influence of dogs on the physiology through decreasing heart rate, blood pressure and level of cortisol or increasing level of hormones associated with a positive experience. This is followed by findings about the effect of a dog on children with disabilities, mentioning especially considerable impact on the social skills but also other skills and elimination of problem behaviors. It is always necessary to make the study as conclusive as possible. Finally, the need to pay attention to animal welfare and ethics during animal-assisted intervention is mentioned.
In the second part, the results of questionnaire filled in by representatives of special schools are evaluated. Out of the 59 surveyed schools 24 responded. The researched sample demonstrated a high degree of awareness of schools about the possibilities of using dogs. Where it is already used, it has been in most cases described an appropriate and correct implementation with a very good impact on a wide range of areas such as social skills, communication and gross and fine motor skills. All this corresponds with the information summarized in the first part.
|
|
|
The relationship between the sow and piglets - how piglets recognize their mother's vocalizations
Zátková, Marcela ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Hradec, Michal (referee)
The ability to recognize mothers voice is important for offspring in many animal species. This thesis reviews the knowledge on maternal behaviour in domestic pigs and focuses on its important prerequisite which is the recognition between mother and her offspring. Domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica) is chosen as a very good model species. Maternal behaviour of pigs did not change much due to domestication or inetnsive farming. Maternal behaviour including nursing behaviour should prevent monpolization of resources by stronger piglets. Therefore, maternal behaviour has interesting aspects: long udder massage, attraction of piglets with vocalization and announcment of milk ejection with short period of milk ejection. Maternal behaviour in pigs involves a complex of many interesting phenomena like: synchronization of nursings, non-nutritive nursings, potential for allo-suckling, parent-offspring conflict, specific initiation and termination of nursing and rich olfactoric, acoustic, and tactile signalling. Pig belongs to social animals in which communication needs to be complex, especially acoustic communication. Naturally, recognition of individuals is crucial in groups and this is true for recognition between mother and offspring. The acoustic recognition can be studied by three appraches. 1) Observing of natural behaviour, 2) Playback experiments (habituation, preference and comparison) and 3) Analysis of voice and searching for individual traits in voice. It is expected, that piglets should recognize mother as soon as possible. Sow should recognize piglets after rejoining her group. Results of the studies reviewed in this thesis seem to confirm these assumption. Piglets recognize their mother 36h after parturition by voice. Sows can recognize the smell of own piglets soon after parturition but not by voice. Identification based on voice seems to appear later at about 10 days after parturition, but it is not very strong. Other studies identified potential cues to identity in calls of sows as well as in calls of piglets.
|
|
|
The effect of environment on the behaviour and welfare dairy cattle
Zetková, Mariana ; Chaloupková, Helena (advisor) ; Valníčková, Barbora (referee)
Behavior and welfare of dairy cattle is determined by many factors of its surroundings. Whether we consider the environment of it´s habitat or stockpeople work. The goal of this thesis is describe influence of the behavior, health and production.
In a stable, there are some important factors. One of them is a micro-climate. Cattle is very liable to body-heat stres, because of its not-so-good body heat draining. Another thing stockpeople should focus on is bedding. Wet or pouled bedding is not only uncomfortable, but it also can cause lactal glad and lower limb health problems. Limping and udder infection are very frequent problem of cattle breeding.
In matter of cattle´s social behaviour, we must consider a it´s sense for hierarchy. Make groups by cattle´s age, size, or lactal phase and by other features. Enouhg space for feeding and a rest, to pretend any mutual aggressive interaction thus avoid stres or injuries of cattle.
Although a care and an attitude of stockpeople is being underetimated in many cases, they play a big role in animal breeding. The behaviour of stockpeople, for example, has an influence on animal´s feelings about people. If a milker is calm and has positive attitude, cows are more accessible and calmer while are giving milk. That affects milk production and cow´s mood as well.
A frequent topic to debate is prenatal stres of dairy cows. It is cause of taking calves away from their cow mother. However, opinions on this theme aren´t united and this topic is, as is stated at the beginnig of this paragraph, full of contradiction.
If we want to provide comfort to dairy cows, the main target is to provide them a proper place to sleep in, rest in, feeding, to care about their bodies, etc. That also means, that we should provide them the oportunity to natural behaviour and treat them as living beings, that percieve stimulus from their environment.
|
guest ::
RSS feed.