Development of the Hearing Dog Evaluation and Reporting Overview (HERO): A Novel Measure for Hearing Dog Welfare
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
- The Animal Therapies Limited (ATL) Code of Conduct for the Animal-Assisted Services Sector [13]. This code of conduct details best practises for the care and welfare of assistance animals (including but not limited to Hearing Dogs). Specific standards include that handlers have the following: a general knowledge of animal welfare (B2.5); can provide adequate housing, nutrition, transportation, veterinary care, exercise, environmental enrichment, rest and recreation, and companionship (B2.6); are able to monitor for signs of stress, discomfort, fear, illness, injury and ageing (B2.10); and ensure the animal is well groomed (B2.13) and free of parasites (B2.15), among others. In particular, the code states that assistance animals should be viewed as sentient beings whose wellbeing, including the right to flourish, should be of paramount concern (B2.6).
- The Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accreditation standards [14]. These standards state that for an assistance dog training programme to gain accreditation, they must demonstrate the following: appropriate healthcare management and an ongoing plan; provision of humane care toward all dogs; commitment to working with veterinarians; commitment to upholding the dog’s welfare for the lifetime of the dog; and, appropriate and safe kennelling and shelter that upholds the needs of the dog. Unlike the ATL Code of Conduct, the ADI standards do not specify a dog’s need to flourish. They also do not specify ongoing surveillance of assistance dogs and their owners past the period of gaining accreditation.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Phase One
2.1.1. Participants
2.1.2. Procedure
2.2. Phase Two
2.2.1. Participants
2.2.2. Procedure
3. Results
3.1. Phase One
3.1.1. Round One
3.1.2. Round Two
3.1.3. Round Three
3.2. Phase Two
4. Discussion
4.1. Limitations
4.2. Future Directions
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Domain | Theme (n) | Supporting Quote |
---|---|---|
Nutrition | Access to water (6) | “Multiple opportunities and sources to access water” |
Nutritional quality of food (7) | “Meeting the nutritional needs of the dog based on breed, age, sex and physical activity” | |
Quantity of food (5) | “Quantity of food should be right—to maintain optimum weight.” | |
Timing of feeding (4) | “Providing the dog with routine is ideal so that they know when to expect meals. If this is not possible, the dog should be trained to accept food at any time of day.” | |
Supplements (2) | “Vitamins and supplements are important.” | |
Dental chews (1) | “Dogs should be given chews to aid in dental health—bones are discouraged.” | |
Vet checks to identify food allergies (1) | “Routine health checks to check for food allergies that may affect the dog.” | |
Environment | Quality of environment (7) | “The ability to have shelter and temperature-controlled environments while at home is required to maintain the highest level of standard for the dog.” |
Ability to withdraw (6) | “Provision of a time-out space to allow dog to disengage/rest/recover.” | |
Amount of space (4) | “Sufficient space to move around comfortably.” | |
Safety (7) | “Provision for safety and protection from extreme weather/situations.” | |
Places outside the home (3) | “Bedding and a safe place should be provided when not at home if there for long periods of time.” | |
Sound (1) | “Physical environmental changes and subtle changes such as varying frequencies.” | |
Health | Vet consultation (5) | “Dogs should have an annual veterinary visit at which time they should receive any booster vaccinations, heartworm prevention and get a complete health check including of teeth, respiratory and circulatory systems, eyes and ears.” |
Home remedies (1) | “No home remedies should be used first.” | |
Grooming (5) | “Grooming is required under PAT [Public Access Test] and should be closely monitored.” | |
Exercise (3) | “Fitness should be maintained with at least daily walks and play time.” | |
Deworming (2) | “A worm and parasite program recommended by a local veterinarian should be maintained—this will vary in different regions of Australia.” | |
Dental health (1) | “Dental health may be a poor indicator as poor dental health can be attributed to specific breeds.” | |
Working age (3) | “Attention should be paid to declining health when dog ages—also dependent on the breed as to what age.” | |
Behavioural interaction | Monitoring (6) | “Evaluate general behavioural disposition, which is the dog’s general fear, anxiety, arousal, friendliness and sociability. This will give an understanding of how they are in overall situations. Then this needs to be classified into how this disposition changes under different tests and situations like unfamiliar environments, people, animals, etc. This leads to identification of emotional and behavioural thresholds and therefore triggers associated with stress.” |
Knowledge of behaviour (6) | “Handlers should be educated on behaviours related to anxiety (lip licking, yawning, lowered body) to identify if there is a problem with the dog and remove them from that situation.” | |
Reason for behavioural issue (2) | “Health problem? Seek vet. Behavioural problem? Seek Trainer.” | |
Human interaction (4) | “Dogs should feel comfortable interacting with humans but should not be distracted by them when working.” | |
Animal interaction (2) | “Conspecific interaction to facilitate natural need.” | |
Positive behaviour experiences (1) | “As much as possible dogs should be given the opportunity for positive behavioural experiences (food enrichment toys, walking, sniffing, playing).” | |
Mental state | Assessment of mental state (5) | “Assessment for anxiety, stress, fear, frustration would be my top important factors.” |
Contributors to positive mental state (3) | “Extensive socialisation and training and plenty of downtime.” | |
Negative mental state (2) | “Signs of a negative mental state (e.g., fearfulness or anxiety) need to be noticed and then the factors leading to them avoided or changed. If a dog becomes too anxious it may need to be retired or not selected for the program. Signs of depression (dog not wanting to go for a walk or not displaying diversity of behaviours or change in behaviour) should also be noted as some people will see these dogs as being very compliant.” | |
Consent to engage (2) | “As much as possible choice tests should be given to dogs to ensure they do want to do the work or interact, e.g., pat tests to see if dog actually likes to be petted.” |
Round Two Prototype Item | 1-Point (%) | 2-Point (%) | 3-Point (%) | 4-Point (%) | 5-Point (%) | Mdn | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Does your dog have access to fresh, clean water whenever they need it? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 6 (86) | 5.0 |
2 | Is your dog fed a diet of nutritionally complete food, such as a high-quality commercial dry food? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 5.0 |
3 | If your dog is fed a diet of raw food, are measures in place to avoid cross-contamination? | 3 (43) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 2.0 |
4 | Is your dog fed a diet suitable for their age, size, and physical activity level? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
5 | Is your dog fed the right amount of food to maintain optimum weight? | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
6 | Does your dog have a good feeding routine? E.g., is your dog fed at roughly the same time every day? | 0 (0) | 3 (43) | 2 (29) | 2 (29) | 0 (0) | 2.5 |
7 | Is your dog fed at a suitable time each day? E.g., not immediately before exercising? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 3 (43) | 0 (0) | 4 (57) | 4.0 |
8 | If recommended by your vet, does your dog receive supplements and vitamins as directed? | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 3 (43) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 3.0 |
9 | Is your dog given chews to aid in dental hygiene? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 5 (71) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 3.0 |
10 | Is your dog’s place of living comfortable, protected from the weather, and not too hot or cold? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
11 | Is your dog’s place of living safe? This includes a fully fenced yard or home with no holes that the dog could escape through, removing hazards, and ensuring safety from stressful situations, long periods of loud noise, and very high or low temperatures. * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
12 | If your dog is housed in high-density living such as a unit or apartment, are they regularly taken outside for exercise, play, and toileting? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
13 | Does your dog have a space to retreat and withdraw to whenever they need downtime and rest? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
14 | Is your dog given the ability to explore and become familiar with new environments? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 2 (29) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
15 | Does your dog have outside space to enjoy, play, and explore, or does your dog receive plenty of time out and about with you? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
16 | If your dog is transported, such as in a car, are they safely restrained so as not to run around the vehicle or injure themselves? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
17 | If your dog is transported, do you take them out of the vehicle with you, rather than leaving them inside the vehicle unattended? | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 2 (29) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
18 | If your dog is going to be outside the home for a long period of time, have you ensured that they will have access to food, water, and comfortable bedding? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
19 | Does your dog have a vet visit every 6–12 months? This should include a general check-up of teeth, eyes, respiratory, and circulatory system, and behaviour, as well as relevant worming, vaccinations, and tick prevention. * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 6 (86) | 5.0 |
20 | Are you aware of what signs to look for that may indicate your dog is unwell, such as bloating, lethargy, and loss of appetite? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
21 | Is your dog’s coat kept groomed to a high standard, including regular baths, grooming, and clipping as needed? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (57) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
22 | Is your dog exercised at least once per day such as daily walks and/or play time? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
23 | Is your dog on a worm, parasite, and tick prevention programme as recommended by your vet? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 3 (43) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
24 | Is your dog still fit to work? Do you notice signs associated with ageing and declining health that may inhibit their ability to work alongside you? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
25 | Are you aware of what constitutes normal behaviour and what constitutes unusual behaviour in a dog? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
26 | Is your dog even-tempered, friendly, and sociable? | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 1 (14) | 3 (43) | 3.5 |
27 | Does your dog show signs of unusual behaviour such as lip-licking, ears back, tail down, cowering, shivering, or outbursts of fear and aggression? | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
28 | Is your dog willing to engage in play and exercise? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 3 (43) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
29 | Does your dog interact with humans and other animals in a manner that is sociable, friendly, and respectful? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
30 | Does your dog have opportunities to socialise and interact with other dogs when they are not working? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 3 (43) | 3 (42) | 4.0 |
31 | Do you ensure your dog has good experiences frequently? This may include playtime, socialisation with other dogs and humans, special treats, and positive affirmation. * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
32 | Does your dog seem to enjoy the work that they do? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
33 | Does your dog seem to enjoy going on outings with you? * | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
34 | Do you notice signs of anxiety or depression in your dog such as pacing, spinning, chasing shadows, chewing, or becoming withdrawn? | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
35 | Do you allow your dog to live a balanced life, with enough downtime hours to offset working hours, or are they always on alert? | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 4 (57) | 4.5 |
36 | If your dog engages in strenuous activity or shows signs of fatigue, do they have enough downtime to recover? | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
37 | If you notice fear and anxiety increasing in your dog, do you try to remove them from the situation that is causing the fear and anxiety? * | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 5 (71) | 5.0 |
38 | Do you ensure that your dog has the choice to engage or not engage in different activities? E.g., not forcing them to be petted or played with and allowing them the ability to withdraw from the situation at any time? | 1 (14) | 1 (14) | 0 (0) | 2 (29) | 3 (43) | 4.0 |
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Round Three Prototype Item | 1-Point (%) | 2-Point (%) | 3-Point (%) | 4-Point (%) | 5-Point (%) | Mdn | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Does your dog have access to fresh, clean water whenever they need it? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (100) | 5.0 |
2 | Is your dog fed a diet of nutritionally complete food, suitable for their size and physical activity level, as supported by a vet? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 3 (50) | 3 (50) | 4.5 |
3 | Is your dog fed at roughly the same time each day and not immediately before vigorous exercise? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 1 (17) | 3 (50) | 4.5 |
4 | If recommended by your vet, does your dog receive supplements and vitamins as directed? | 0 (0) | 1 (7) | 3 (50) | 2 (33) | 0 (0) | 3.0 |
5 | Is your dog given chews to aid in dental hygiene? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (67) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 3.0 |
6 | Is your dog’s place of living comfortable, protected from the weather, and not too hot or cold? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (100) | 5.0 |
7 | Is your dog’s place of living safe? This includes a home with no holes that the dog could escape through, a fully fenced outdoor yard if applicable, removing hazards, and ensuring safety from stressful situations, long periods of loud noise, and very high or low temperatures. | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (100) | 5.0 |
8 | If your dog lives indoors, are they regularly taken outside for exercise, play, and toileting? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
9 | Does your dog have a space to retreat and withdraw to whenever they need downtime and rest? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (100) | 5.0 |
10 | Is your dog given the ability to explore and become familiar with new environments? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
11 | If your dog is transported, such as in a car, are they safely restrained such as with a harness or crate, or trained by a professional trainer to sit in one position? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
12 | When inside a vehicle, do you ensure that it is a suitable temperature for the dog, not too hot or too cold? | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
13 | If your dog is going to be outside the home for a long period of time, have you ensured that they will have access to food, water, and comfortable bedding? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
14 | According to the WSAVA Body Condition Score, does your dog have a score of 4 or 5? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (67) | 2 (33) | 4.0 |
15 | Does your dog have a vet visit every 6–12 months? This should include a general check-up of teeth, eyes, respiratory and circulatory system, weight and behaviour, as well as relevant worming, vaccinations, and tick prevention. | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
16 | Are you aware of what signs to look for that may indicate your dog is unwell, such as bloating, lethargy, and loss of appetite? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
17 | Is your dog’s coat kept groomed to a high standard, including regular baths, grooming, and clipping as needed? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 5 (83) | 1 (17) | 4.0 |
18 | Is your dog exercised at least once per day such as daily walks and/or play time? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
19 | Is your dog on a worm, parasite, and tick prevention programme as recommended by your vet? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 2 (33) | 3 (50) | 4.5 |
20 | Do you notice signs associated with ageing and declining health that may inhibit your dog’s ability to work alongside you? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 1 (17) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
21 | Are you aware of what constitutes normal, content behaviour and what constitutes negative behaviour in a dog? | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 3 (50) | 4.5 |
22 | Does your dog show signs of behaviour such as lip-licking, ears back, tail down, cowering, shivering, or outbursts of fear and aggression? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 0 (0) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
23 | Is your dog willing to engage in play and exercise? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
24 | Does your dog interact with humans and other animals in a manner that is sociable, friendly, and respectful? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
25 | Do you ensure your dog has good experiences frequently? This may include playtime, socialisation with other dogs and humans, and special treats. | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
26 | Does your dog seem to enjoy the work that they do? Signs may include tail wagging, interest in their work/task, or willingness to participate. | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
27 | Does your dog seem to enjoy going on outings with you? Signs may include tail wagging, sniffing and exploring the environment, or willingness to go out. | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
28 | Do you think that your dog has a good work–life balance, with enough downtime to offset working hours? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
29 | Are you aware of behaviours that may indicate anxiety and depression in a dog? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (33) | 4 (67) | 5.0 |
30 | If you notice fear and anxiety increasing in your dog, do you try to remove them from the situation that is causing the fear and anxiety? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
31 | Do you ensure that your dog has the choice to engage or not engage in different activities if they become too much? E.g., not forcing them to be petted or played with and allowing them the ability to withdraw from the situation at any time? | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (17) | 5 (83) | 5.0 |
Round Three Prototype Item | Final Decision |
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Item | Yes | No | Unsure | |
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1 | Does your dog have access to fresh, clean water whenever they need it? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
2 | Is your dog fed a diet of nutritionally complete food, suitable for their size and physical activity level, as supported by a vet? | 21 | 1 | 1 |
3 | Is your dog’s place of living comfortable, protected from the weather, and not too hot or cold? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
4 | Is your dog’s place of living safe? This includes an escape-proof home and yard with no hazards. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
5 | If your dog lives indoors, are they regularly taken outside for exercise, play, and toileting? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
6 | Does your dog have a space to retreat and withdraw to whenever they need downtime and rest? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
7 | Is your dog given the ability to explore and become familiar with new environments? | 22 | 1 | 0 |
8 | If your dog is transported, such as in a car, are they safely restrained such as with a harness or crate, or trained by a professional trainer to sit in one position? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
9 | When inside a vehicle, do you ensure that it is a suitable temperature for the dog, not too hot or too cold? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
10 | If your dog is going to be outside the home for a long period of time, have you ensured that they will have access to food, water, and comfortable bedding? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
11 | (Show the WSAVA Body Condition Graphic). According to the WSAVA Body Condition Score, does your dog have a score of 4 or 5? | 21 | 1 | 1 |
12 | Does your dog have a vet visit every 6–12 months? This should include a general check-up of teeth, eyes, respiratory and circulatory system, weight and behaviour, as well as relevant worming, vaccinations, and tick prevention. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
13 | Are you aware of what signs to look for that may indicate your dog is unwell, such as bloating, lethargy, and loss of appetite? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
14 | Is your dog’s coat kept groomed to a high standard, including regular baths, grooming, and clipping as needed? | 21 | 0 | 2 |
15 | Is your dog exercised at least once per day, such as daily walks and/or playtime outside? | 22 | 1 | 0 |
16 | Do you know what signs to look for that may indicate ageing or declining health which could inhibit your dog’s ability to work alongside you? | 21 | 0 | 2 |
17 | Are you aware of what constitutes positive behaviour and what constitutes negative behaviour in a dog? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
18 | Do you notice behaviours such as lip-licking, ears back, tail down, cowering, shivering, snarling, or aggression in your dog regularly? | 7 | 16 | 0 |
19 | Is your dog willing to engage in play and exercise? | 22 | 1 | 0 |
20 | Does your dog interact with humans and other animals in a manner that is sociable, friendly, and respectful? | 22 | 1 | 0 |
21 | Do you ensure that your dog has good experiences frequently? This may include playtime, socialisation with other dogs and/or humans, and receiving special treats. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
22 | Does your dog seem to enjoy the work that they do? Signs may include tail wagging, interest in their work/task, or willingness to participate. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
23 | Does your dog seem to enjoy going on outings with you? Signs may include tail wagging, sniffing, and exploring the environment or willingness to go out. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
24 | Do you think that your dog has a good work–life balance, with enough downtime to offset working hours? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
25 | Are you aware of behaviours that may indicate anxiety and depression in a dog? | 20 | 2 | 1 |
26 | If you notice fear and anxiety increasing in your dog, do you try to remove them from the situation that is causing the fear and anxiety? | 21 | 1 | 1 |
27 | Do you ensure that your dog has the choice to engage or not engage in activities if they become too much? E.g., never forcing them to be petted, played with, or engage in work. | 23 | 0 | 0 |
28 | Optional—Is your dog fed at roughly the same time each day and not immediately before vigorous exercise? | 23 | 0 | 0 |
Statement | M (SD) | Mdn |
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The assessment tool was easy to understand and straightforward. | 4.8 (0.4) | 5.00 |
The assessment tool was quick to use. | 4.7 (0.4) | 5.00 |
The wording was clear to read and understand. | 4.9 (0.3) | 5.00 |
The pictures were clear to see and understand. | 4.5 (0.8) | 5.00 |
The additional resources were informative and easily accessed. | 4.4 (0.8) | 5.00 |
The assessment tool is valuable in helping you understand what your dog needs. | 4.5 (0.7) | 5.00 |
The assessment tool is valuable in helping you assess which areas of your dog’s lifestyle can be improved. | 4.3 (0.8) | 5.00 |
Question | Theme (n) | Supporting Quote |
---|---|---|
Did you encounter any difficulties in using the survey? Please indicate the difficulties faced. | Ease of use and lack of difficulties (15) | “No” “No difficulties” |
Availability of information from training centres (1) | “No difficulties but training centre provides us with this info and conducts upskilling sessions. So, nothing new here for me” | |
Purpose of the survey (2) | “Had no difficulty in taking this survey. But to me it is a SURVEY and not a teaching tool.” “No difficulties but training centre provides us with this info and conducts upskilling sessions. So, nothing new here for me” | |
Simplicity and straightforwardness (2) | “No, it was easy and straightforward” “No—it was basic and easy.” | |
Need for more options or applicability (2) | “In some areas might need more options” “No not really although yes/no answers don’t always apply. Not applicable in some answers” | |
Positive engagement and enjoyment (1) | “I enjoyed sharing my experiences with my service dog, Joy. Very good survey” | |
Suggestion for inclusion of Auslan (1) | “In Auslan will be good” | |
Were there any parts of the survey that you enjoyed or found useful? Please share this with us. | Interest and relevance of information (7) | “All the side information/websites were very interesting and informative”“The survey was very interesting and informative, thank you.” “Found very useful.” “The health care and medical needs of the dogs.” |
Reinforcement of existing knowledge (2) | “They were things I already know. We had dogs growing up and prior to me receiving my first hearing dog. So knew a lot of this information already. But it was good to enforce what I already know.” | |
Intent to explore further information (1) | “I will certainly read through some of the linked information” | |
No change in behaviour (2) | “Nothing in the survey has made me think twice about anything. Also, I would not change anything I do after participating in this survey.” | |
Common sense questions and relevance (1) | “I thought the questions were just common-sense dog owner questions and didn’t really relate in any way to hearing dogs alone.” | |
Positive impact of Hearing Dogs (1) | “My dog has made such a difference to my life. I feel very safe and secure with him. He is trained to work the smoke alarm, and I am 100% confident that in that event he would alert me if alarm sounded. | |
Routine testing and training (1) | “At night I can’t hear anything because my hearing aids are removed. He is trained to jump on the bed, touch me and then drop to the floor when I sit up. My husband and I test him with smoke alarm every week. His other sounds happen daily which he always works. He barks when doorbell or knock happens. He shouldn’t but I don’t consider it bad behaviour because if this happened at night, I would then know the wrong person is hanging around.” | |
Neutral or no response (4) | “No” | |
Do you have any other feedback or suggestions pertaining to the survey? | Access to information and websites (1) | “How can I access all the information/websites as a ‘bundle’ for future reference, and to share with family/friends (NOT by FB or Twitter!)” |
Lack of additional feedback (8) | “No” | |
Uncertainty about the survey audience (1) | “I am not sure who this would be directed to when you consider the training we are given to care for our dogs” | |
Interest and importance of topics (2) | “I do feel some people need remind about the heat and the ground and offer suggestions for them. and snake kit is very important.” “I won’t waste 10 min on it in future!” | |
Interest in comparing responses (1) | “It would be very interesting to know how other hearing assistance dog owners responded to this survey.” | |
Challenges with public access and airlines (1) | “Virgin is the only airline that seems to welcome hearing dogs on flights. I feel the message needs to get out to other airlines that these dogs should be able to fly without hassle with their recipients.” | |
Pride in Hearing Dogs (1) | “You truly need to see him in action as he is so precious, and I am so proud of him and his behaviour. I am very fortunate to have him. I am 75 and we grow old together.” | |
Availability of dog trainer (1) | “I also have a dog trainer I can ask questions about” | |
Unique needs of Hearing Dogs (1) | “Our dogs are unique. For instance, the question about leaving dog at home with food and water does not apply. Would never leave my dog” |
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© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Koh, C.; Chillingworth, H.; Driscoll, C.; Hill, J.; Narayan, E. Development of the Hearing Dog Evaluation and Reporting Overview (HERO): A Novel Measure for Hearing Dog Welfare. Animals 2025, 15, 785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060785
Koh C, Chillingworth H, Driscoll C, Hill J, Narayan E. Development of the Hearing Dog Evaluation and Reporting Overview (HERO): A Novel Measure for Hearing Dog Welfare. Animals. 2025; 15(6):785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060785
Chicago/Turabian StyleKoh, Charis, Holly Chillingworth, Carlie Driscoll, Jessica Hill, and Edward Narayan. 2025. "Development of the Hearing Dog Evaluation and Reporting Overview (HERO): A Novel Measure for Hearing Dog Welfare" Animals 15, no. 6: 785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060785
APA StyleKoh, C., Chillingworth, H., Driscoll, C., Hill, J., & Narayan, E. (2025). Development of the Hearing Dog Evaluation and Reporting Overview (HERO): A Novel Measure for Hearing Dog Welfare. Animals, 15(6), 785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060785