Management of working dog occupational health requires an understanding of the effects of the type of work and working environment on working dogs. In addition to our responsibility to ensure their welfare and physical, mental, and social health as animals under our guardianship, there is a notable public safety and economic motivation to optimizing working dog health, as a dog unable to perform its intended duties directly impacts the mission capability of public safety agencies or the individuals that they serve. Similarly, the financial and time cost of replacement with a new dog can be a tremendous economic burden. Therefore, prevention of health issues and rapid return to duty if they do occur are core goals of working dog occupational health.
Unlike in human health care where the specialty of Occupational Health focuses on the physical, mental, and social health of workers, there is not a singular veterinary specialty tasked with this goal in working animals. Multiple veterinary specialties contribute independently, without a central method of collaboration focusing specifically on working dog occupational health. A special research topic on occupational health of working dogs would bridge this gap to some degree by providing an easily accessible collection of relevant studies. It may also encourage further research interest in this important topic. As a broader goal, it will potentially raise awareness of the topic of occupational health of working dogs or working animals in general as a potential sub-specialty or area of special interest amongst veterinary personnel and allied animal care providers.
Research topics that would contribute to our understanding of working dog occupational health include, but are not limited to studies on the effects of:
-Housing, including kennel environments
-Transport of working dogs
-Nutrition and food safety
-Vaccinations, internal and external parasite control
-Equipment worn or carried for work or training
-Environmental factors such as heat, cold, water, altitude, noise, and toxic hazards
-Hostile action injuries of law enforcement and military dogs
-Injuries and illness common to working dogs as a result of any of the factors listed above.
Manuscripts of high-quality original research are highly encouraged, including meta-analyses of current prevention and treatment practices, clinical trials, and other randomized, controlled experimental studies. Observational studies that provide novel baseline information on incidence or prevalence of health conditions or health risk factors are encouraged. Review articles that are novel and relevant to working dog occupational health and supported by meticulous citation will be considered.
Keywords:
Working Dogs, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Sports Medicine, Canine Husbandry
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Management of working dog occupational health requires an understanding of the effects of the type of work and working environment on working dogs. In addition to our responsibility to ensure their welfare and physical, mental, and social health as animals under our guardianship, there is a notable public safety and economic motivation to optimizing working dog health, as a dog unable to perform its intended duties directly impacts the mission capability of public safety agencies or the individuals that they serve. Similarly, the financial and time cost of replacement with a new dog can be a tremendous economic burden. Therefore, prevention of health issues and rapid return to duty if they do occur are core goals of working dog occupational health.
Unlike in human health care where the specialty of Occupational Health focuses on the physical, mental, and social health of workers, there is not a singular veterinary specialty tasked with this goal in working animals. Multiple veterinary specialties contribute independently, without a central method of collaboration focusing specifically on working dog occupational health. A special research topic on occupational health of working dogs would bridge this gap to some degree by providing an easily accessible collection of relevant studies. It may also encourage further research interest in this important topic. As a broader goal, it will potentially raise awareness of the topic of occupational health of working dogs or working animals in general as a potential sub-specialty or area of special interest amongst veterinary personnel and allied animal care providers.
Research topics that would contribute to our understanding of working dog occupational health include, but are not limited to studies on the effects of:
-Housing, including kennel environments
-Transport of working dogs
-Nutrition and food safety
-Vaccinations, internal and external parasite control
-Equipment worn or carried for work or training
-Environmental factors such as heat, cold, water, altitude, noise, and toxic hazards
-Hostile action injuries of law enforcement and military dogs
-Injuries and illness common to working dogs as a result of any of the factors listed above.
Manuscripts of high-quality original research are highly encouraged, including meta-analyses of current prevention and treatment practices, clinical trials, and other randomized, controlled experimental studies. Observational studies that provide novel baseline information on incidence or prevalence of health conditions or health risk factors are encouraged. Review articles that are novel and relevant to working dog occupational health and supported by meticulous citation will be considered.
Keywords:
Working Dogs, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Sports Medicine, Canine Husbandry
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.