{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]],"date-time":"2026-03-13T20:07:51Z","timestamp":1773432471690,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":32,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,22]],"date-time":"2025-11-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1763769600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) or Services (AAS) may cause stress in participating dogs, making the selection of suitable individuals essential to prevent strain. Different non-standardized approaches currently exist to assess dogs\u2019 suitability for AAIs. This preliminary study aimed at evaluating two combined tools, a behavioural aptitude test (SuiTe) and an ad hoc revised questionnaire incorporating C-BARQ, for pre-screening dog suitability for AAIs, also in relation to salivary cortisol measured by enzyme immunoassay in N = 38 dogs. Dogs\u2019 behavioural responses to environmental and social stimuli were scored on an X-Y scale and classified by two independent evaluators as suitable (S), pending suitability (P), or unsuitable (U). Non-parametric tests were performed (p &lt; 0.05). Results indicated significant differences between dogs classified as S or P versus U, both in SuiTe valence scores (higher in S and P) and in separation, attachment, and fear\/anxiety behaviours assessed by the questionnaire (higher in U). However, suitability in the SuiTe was lower than that assessed by caregivers through an open question. Our study highlights the complexity of this assessment and the limited awareness of caregivers regarding the situations their dogs face every day. Future analyses will refine this multiparametric approach within a One Welfare perspective, ensuring the welfare of both animals and humans involved in AAIs.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci12121110","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]],"date-time":"2025-11-24T09:02:07Z","timestamp":1763974927000},"page":"1110","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A Pre-Screening Tool to Assess Dog Suitability for Animal-Assisted Interventions: Preliminary Results for Dog-Suitability Tests (SuiTe)"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-7415-7301","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giulia","family":"Russo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8350-3575","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carmen","family":"Borrelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7984-1117","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giacomo","family":"Riggio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"},{"name":"Vethos-Etologia Clinica Veterinaria, 00182 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Elisa","family":"Rosson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Matilde","family":"Bentivoglio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7127-4680","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chiara","family":"Mariti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Binder, A.J., Parish-Plass, N., Kirby, M., Winkle, M., Skwerer, D.P., Ackerman, L., Brosig, C., Coombe, W., Delisle, E., and Enders-Slegers, M.J. (2024). Recommendations for Uniform Terminology in Animal-Assisted Services (AAS). Hum. Anim. Interact., 12.","DOI":"10.1079\/hai.2024.0003"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Ministero della Salute (2015). Linee Guida Nazionali per Gli Interventi Assistiti Con Gli Animali (IAA)."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Francia, N., Borgi, M., Collacchi, B., and Cirulli, F. (2019). Metodologie per La Valutazione Dell\u2019idoneit\u00e0 e del Benessere Animale Negli Interventi Assistiti Con Gli Animali, Istituto Superiore di Sanit\u00e0. Rapporti ISTISAN 19\/4 ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANIT\u00c0."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Glenk, L.M. (2017). Current Perspectives on Therapy Dog Welfare in Animal-Assisted Interventions. Animals, 7.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani7020007"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Santaniello, A., Dic\u00e9, F., Carrat\u00fa, R.C., Amato, A., Fioretti, A., and Menna, L.F. (2020). Methodological and Terminological Issues in Animal-Assisted Interventions: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10050759"},{"key":"ref_6","unstructured":"IAHAIO (2018). The IAHAIO Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and Guidelines for Wellness of Animals Involved in AAI, IAHAIO."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Glenk, L.M., and Foltin, S. (2021). Therapy Dog Welfare Revisited: A Review of the Literature. Vet. Sci., 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci8100226"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Santaniello, A., Garzillo, S., Cristiano, S., Fioretti, A., and Menna, L.F. (2021). The Research of Standardized Protocols for Dog Involvement in Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review. Animals, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani11092576"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2014.11.005","article-title":"Validation of a Selection Protocol of Dogs Involved in Animal-Assisted Intervention","volume":"10","author":"Mongillo","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2005.04.006","article-title":"Ethotest: A New Model to Identify (Shelter) Dogs\u2019 Skills as Service Animals or Adoptable Pets","volume":"95","author":"Lucidi","year":"2005","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Nawarecka-Pi\u0105tek, M., Olsen, C., Sandstedt, L., Mikl\u00f3si, \u00c1., Abdai, J., and Temesi, A. (2023). Personality Assessment for Dogs in AAI (PADA), Stowarzyszenie Zwierz\u0119ta Ludziom."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sakurama, M., Ito, M., Nakanowataru, Y., and Kooriyama, T. (2023). Selection of Appropriate Dogs to Be Therapy Dogs Using the C-BARQ. Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13050834"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2012.02.017","article-title":"Validity of Model Devices Used to Assess Canine Temperament in Behavioral Tests","volume":"138","author":"Barnard","year":"2012","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1161","DOI":"10.1037\/h0077714","article-title":"A Circumplex Model of Affect","volume":"39","author":"Russell","year":"1980","journal-title":"J. Pers. Soc. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"351","DOI":"10.1016\/j.patrec.2025.06.018","article-title":"Automatic Canine Emotion Recognition through Multimodal Approach","volume":"196","year":"2025","journal-title":"Pattern. Recognit. Lett."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"103","article-title":"Appraising Valence","volume":"12","author":"Colombetti","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Conscious. Stud."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"579","DOI":"10.1080\/026999398379574","article-title":"Discrete Emotions or Dimensions? The Role of Valence Focus and Arousal Focus","volume":"12","author":"Barrett","year":"1998","journal-title":"Cogn. Emot."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bradley, M.M., and Lang, P.J. (1999). Measuring Emotion: Behavior, Feeling, and Physiology. Cognitive Neuroscience of Emotion, Oxford University Press.","DOI":"10.1093\/oso\/9780195118889.003.0011"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Broseghini, A., Gu\u00e9rineau, C., L\u00f5oke, M., Mariti, C., Serpell, J., Marinelli, L., and Mongillo, P. (2023). Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ): Validation of the Italian Translation. Animals, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani13071254"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1293","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.2003.223.1293","article-title":"Development and Validation of a Questionnaire for Measuring Behavior and Temperament Traits in Pet Dogs","volume":"223","author":"Hsu","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Riggio, G., Borrelli, C., Campera, M., Gazzano, A., and Mariti, C. (2022). Physiological Indicators of Acute and Chronic Stress in Securely and Insecurely Attached Dogs Undergoing a Strange Situation Procedure (SSP): Preliminary Results. Vet. Sci., 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci9100519"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Clark, S.D., Martin, F., McGowan, R.T.S., Smidt, J.M., Anderson, R., Wang, L., Turpin, T., Langenfeld-Mccoy, N., Bauer, B.A., and Mohabbat, A.B. (2020). Physiological State of Therapy Dogs during Animal-Assisted Activities in an Outpatient Setting. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10050819"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Winkle, M., Johnson, A., and Mills, D. (2020). Dog Welfare, Well-Being and Behavior: Considerations for Selection, Evaluation and Suitability for Animal-Assisted Therapy. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10112188"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2023.12.007","article-title":"Observational Behaviors and Emotions to Assess Welfare of Dogs: A Systematic Review","volume":"72","author":"Griffioen","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"302","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2015.03.011","article-title":"Salivary Cortisol Concentration in Healthy Dogs Is Affected by Size, Sex, and Housing Context","volume":"10","author":"Sandri","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1030","DOI":"10.1080\/1828051X.2018.1453756","article-title":"Variations of Salivary Cortisol in Dogs Exposed to Different Cognitive and Physical Activities","volume":"17","author":"Colussi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ital. J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1016\/j.applanim.2014.07.009","article-title":"The Effect of Dog-Human Interaction on Cortisol and Behavior in Registered Animal-Assisted Activity Dogs","volume":"159","author":"Ng","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Menna, L.F., Santaniello, A., Todisco, M., Amato, A., Borrelli, L., Scandurra, C., and Fioretti, A. (2019). The Human-Animal Relationship as the Focus of Animal-Assisted Interventions: A One Health Approach. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16193660"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Meers, L.L., Contalbrigo, L., Samuels, W.E., Duarte-Gan, C., Berckmans, D., Laufer, S.J., Stevens, V.A., Walsh, E.A., and Normando, S. (2022). Canine-Assisted Interventions and the Relevance of Welfare Assessments for Human Health, and Transmission of Zoonosis: A Literature Review. Front. Vet. Sci., 9.","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2022.899889"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jveb.2011.09.004","article-title":"Perception of Dogs\u2019 Stress by Their Owners","volume":"7","author":"Mariti","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"G\u00e1csi, M., Maros, K., Sernkvist, S., Farag\u00f3, T., and Mikl\u00f3si, \u00c1. (2013). Human Analogue Safe Haven Effect of the Owner: Behavioural and Heart Rate Response to Stressful Social Stimuli in Dogs. PLoS ONE, 8.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0058475"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1275","DOI":"10.1163\/1568539X-00003095","article-title":"Owners as a Secure Base for Their Dogs","volume":"150","author":"Mariti","year":"2013","journal-title":"Behaviour"}],"container-title":["Veterinary Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/12\/12\/1110\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]],"date-time":"2025-11-24T09:48:39Z","timestamp":1763977719000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2306-7381\/12\/12\/1110"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,22]]},"references-count":32,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["vetsci12121110"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/vetsci12121110","relation":{},"ISSN":["2306-7381"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2306-7381","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,22]]}}}