Project Information
- Project title
- Development of a quality of life scale for dogs
- Researcher(s)
- Janina Wojciechowska, Caroline Hewson, Vianne Timmons, Norma Guy, Gary Patronek (University of P.E.I)
- Postal Address
- Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Atlantic Veterinary College, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A4P3
- Project dates
- Commenced September 2001
- Anticipated completion August 2003
- Nature of the project
- thesis research
- Brief description
When animal caregivers are deciding about treatment of a sick animal or about euthanasia, they ask their veterinarian "Is this animal suffering?" The veterinarian's response may be biased by their focus on physical health, by their personality-type and by their social and cultural values. In addition, neither the veterinarian nor the owner may take fully into account the animal's mind and its nature (- its individual make-up, breed and temperament). For these reasons, we need a more systematic and objective method of assisting animals' quality of life (QoL). This research will examine one method: a scale for assessment of the QoL of dogs. We are currently developing the scale and will then examine its validity and reliability.