HEALTH - New Heart Sensor Detects Stress in Dogs

Dogs, like humans, can suffer from anxiety and stress in varying degrees.

In fact, numerous drugs, behaviour modification protocols and devices have been developed to help our canine friends.

There are obvious signs of anxiety such as barking, trembling and drooling, and other more subtle symptoms like decreased appetite and increased sleep.

Researchers at Osaka Prefecture University in Japan have developed a method to detect real-time stress in dogs before the more overt signs present themselves.

A wearable heartbeat sensor transmits signals to a receiver that allows the owner to determine whether their canine companion is relaxed or stressed out.

“The device could be used for knowing when dogs are in pain or having health problems,” Shunsuke Shimamura, associate professor of veterinary medicine at the university, told The Japan Times.

“The use of this could lead to early detection of disease or improvement of medical treatments for dogs.”

The research team learned that as dogs got tense, the heartbeat intervals got more and more regulated and when they relax the intervals fluctuated significantly.

From this data, they created an index for canine stress levels.

The team is developing a device with Sharp Corporation and aims to have a marketable product available within two to three years.

HR - Managing Workplace Stress

Everyone experiences stress at work at some point in their lives.

Today, stress seems to be one of the major issues plaguing society. Restructuring, downsizing, multiple projects, economic uncertainty, interruptions and demands all contribute to one’s anxiety.

A study by the American Psychological Association (APA), found that the two most common stressors among those surveyed were work and money, and the incidence of stress often results in irritability, anger, nervousness, and anxiousness

Many workers in the animal industry suffer from compassion fatigue which adds to general workplace stress.

So, what can you do about it? How can you manage work stress and not take it home with you?

While it may seem overwhelming, there are plenty of resources and ideas to help manage your stress.

A recent Harvard Business Review posting provided advice on leaving work stress at work.

Confine your work to particular times and locations.

Perhaps a challenge in today’s connected environment, it’s important to leave your work at the office. Keep folders, computers and notebooks as your desk and work from home only in exceptional circumstances.

If that’s not feasible, designate a few hours each day for home-life only - no exceptions.

Develop good mobile device habits.

An increasing amount of time is spent using mobile devices, and doing something as simple as checking email can pull you back into workplace stress.

Develop habits and rules that keep tablets and phones from tethering you to work, i.e. never check your email two hours before sleep and leave your cell phone home or in the hotel safe when you’re on holidays.

Establish a good support network.

Develop a support network of friends and mentors who can help you manage your professional stress and ensure it isn’t the burden solely of your significant other.

Forbes Magazine’s 12 Ways to Eliminate Stress at Work suggests you:

• Eliminate interruptions
• Schedule your day for energy and focus
• Change your subjective interpretation of the facts
• Prioritize your priorities
• Cool down quickly
• Act rather than react
• Take a deep breath.

Self care such as exercise, eating properly and sleeping well can all contribute to lowering stress. It’s common to reach for the sugary foods and alcohol when feeling anxious.

When managing tasks, prioritize them, break projects into smaller steps so they aren’t as overwhelming, delegate responsibility and be willing to compromise.

Stress within your comfort levels can help you stay focused and able to meet new workplace challenges.

But when stress becomes overwhelming and negatively impacts your life, it’s time to take some - or all - of the above steps.

Why Offer a Pet Friendly Workplace?

Many people dream of being able to take their pet to work with them. It can be emotionally straining to leave your pet alone all day, especially if one had a long workday or commute. Pet friendly workplaces are few and far between however there are several benefits to making your office pet friendly.

1. Pets relieve stress: employees with the least amount of stress are the ones that are able to bring their dogs to work.
2. Pets boost relationships: people do not always get along with each other and this can decrease productivity and negatively impact the work environment. Pets however can provide a common ground and help employees bond with coworkers. Pets also help people develop new relationships more quickly which is especially important for new employees.
3. Pets reduce absenteeism: People often do not like leaving their pet alone at home. This increases the temptation to call in sick so their pet is not alone, especially when the pet is not feeling well. People that leave their pets at home are also more likely to arrive late or leave early in order to spend more time with their pet.
4. Pets support creativity: Research has shown that when people walk their creative thinking can increase by 60% when compared with sitting. According to CV-Library 61% of employees eat their lunch at their desk. In order to have a more productive afternoon, people should take a walk during lunch. Many people would need motivation to go for a lunchtime walk and having a dog at work is a large motivator.
5. Pets create a welcoming atmosphere: Pets are great at pleasing clients and helping them feel more welcome. Meeting atmosphere is boosted when a client is greeted by a polite and friendly dog or cat. Pets can make a company appear more approachable and show dedication to employee desires.

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Harvard Medical School Releases Report: Get Healthy, Get a Dog

The Harvard Medical School is selling Get Healthy, Get a Dog: The health benefits of canine companionship. The health report highlights the health benefits of dog ownership and can be purchased online.

The report overview highlights that dogs offer unparalleled companionship and compiles research that shows that dogs offer health benefits. Some of the key benefits of dog ownership are:

• Reduces stress, increases mindfulness.
• Increases the activity of children and helps them feel secure and develop responsibilities.
• Improves the quality of life for seniors.
• Decreases isolation and increases social behaviours.

Through petting a dog, people can have lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate. Petting can also have a positive effect on the dog. Just as petting can benefit both parting, obesity and low activity rates often affect people and their dogs. The report has suggestions on how to increase physical exercise.

If someone is interested in getting a dog, the report helps walk people through the process of getting a suitable dog. If someone is unable to own a dog the report also contains information about service dogs and how one can benefit from contact with an appropriate service dog.    

READ MORE ABOUT THE REPORT