Stress levels in dogs, and its recognition by their handlers, during animalassisted therapy in a prison.

The article discusses a study which evaluated the stress on dogs and their handlers during animal-assisted therapy in a prison program using questionnaires and measurement of the dogs' saliva cortisol concentrations before and after sessions. The dog-assisted program was conducted in a specialized unit in Harima Rehabilitation Program Center in Japan, collection and monitoring of saliva cortisol, and the association of dogs' stress levels and their handlers' own stress levels.