I’m just back from Denver for the “Animals on the Mind, The Social Neurobiology of Human-Animal Interactions,” Conference. Oxytocin was flowing, in more ways than one. It was there theoretically—in the talks that emphasized its importance in social attachment/feelings of security, along with its increase during human-animal interactions. But it was also there in reality, as we heard about the impressive accomplishments of programs that create uber-healthy interactions, like the Warrior Canine Connection and The Horse Boy Foundation.
I had originally planned to write a short summary of each talk, but that became ridiculous before the end of the first day. Not many people want to read a 15-page blog post. Here then, is a summary of a few of the highlights of the conference, more to come in future posts:
OXYTOCIN, or, Yes, You Might Want to Inhale. It Depends.
Here’s one example of the data-based talks, given by Jesse Frijling, a PhD Candidate at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam. We know that oxytocin does all kinds of wonderful things, like decreasing fear responses, while increasing a vast number of generally good things, like social bonding, social interactions, feelings of trust, the recognition of facial expressions, and is seeking social support after stressful events. We also know that oxytocin is released in stressful situations, and acts to dampens distressed reactions by suppressing activity in the amygdala and the production of cortisol. But it does more than that—it also increases what is called social reward functioning, which means, in the simplest of terms, a deficit of it can interfere with feeling happy. No wonder it’s my favorite drug. (It should be noted that anything with the power to do good has the power to do harm: oxytocin also increases feelings of territoriality and a “us/them” perspective.
But it is the good side of oxytocin that motivated Frijling to ask if it might be a helpful treatment for people suffering from PTSD. Given that many of its symptoms are increased fear, a lack of trust, and an inability to feel happy, what if oxytocin was delivered directly as a treatment? Since 1/3 of PTSD victims don’t respond to traditional treatment, she wondered if the direct application of the neurohormone could be used to treat the symptoms of PTSD.
In one of her studies, fMRI’s were used to evaluate responses before and after viewing photos of angry and threatening people in 40 patients with PTSD, and 40 without. All were police officers. She found that sniffing oxytocin reduced the amygdala’s response (a “fear center” in the brain) in PTSD patients, but not in the controls. (If I remember correctly, it actually increased it in the controls.) The PTSD patients also reported feeling less anxious after the oxytocin, but more anxious in the controls. Not only is this study an important step toward treating victims of trauma, but is also a good reminder that nothing is a “magic cure-all.” Probably a good idea to ignore websites that advertise oxytocin as the “love hormone” and suggest that people carry it alongside the condoms in their pocket.
ANIMALS AS OXYTOCIN GENERATORS: The Warrior Canine Connection
Obviously the link between the conference title and the research above is our knowledge that interactions with animals increase our own oxytocin when we interact with them (in the best of all possible ways). It’s also increased, as anyone in the audience at the conference can tell you, when we hear about projects that involve animals in helping victims of severe trauma.
I’m not sure there was as dry eye in the house when Spencer Milo walked onto the stage with his dog after a presentation about the Warrior Canine Connection. Rick Yount and Meg Olmert (author of Made for Each Other) first talked about the project, which enrolls veterans recovering from PTSD and TBI’s as trainers of mobility assistance dogs for veterans with physical disabilities. Besides the obvious benefits of working with stable, healthy dogs, one of the best things about the project is that the veterans are given a purpose—to train dogs to help other veterans. I did a phone interview with Spencer a few years ago, and he stressed how important it was to him, and others in the program, to do something that served his fellow soldiers. He came home feeling helpless and useless, after committing his life to taking care of his men when on duty. WCC not only gave him a way to feel useful again, it allowed him to focus on something beside his own fears. For example, after not wanting to leave his room for eons, he finally had to leave to train his dog to learn to work in city streets. He was so focused on training and conditioning the dog that he forgot about his own fears.
I have heard some controversy abut this project—the “trainer” veterans only work with the dog for a relatively short period of time for example, and have to say goodbye to the dogs after only a few weeks. Meg and Rick were asked about this issue, and explained that most of the veterans doing the training are still in the service and can’t have their own dog at the time. Although it is hard for them to say goodbye to the dog they are working with, the fact that their efforts are going toward helping another veteran makes it worth it.
So much more! Rupert Isaacson, author of The Horse Boy and Director of the Horse Boy Foundation spoke about his efforts to help his severely autistic son. Lots more on that later, it deserves its own blog. As does Richard Louv’s talk (author of Last Child in the Woods, and another excellent speaker). Michael Kaufman from Green Chimneys discussed how important it was to match the animal to the child in the farm program (“Goats have ‘no boundaries.’” Ha! So true.) and some of the work being done at the farm to help children with behavioral challenges learn to function in the world. I’ll be speaking there next spring, and so listened with special interest. I’m very much looking forward to going.
Temple Grandin gave a compelling talk, stressing how important it is for anyone who works with animals to be an observer of small, specific things, because that’s what the animals are noticing. It was all so reminiscent of my training in ethology. I thought one of her most important points was how easy it is for “bad to become normal.” For example, when every pig in a production facility has bad feet and legs, no one noticing anymore. There are so many examples of this in all walks of life, but I do think about dog training methods, in which it was “normal” to threaten dogs with injury if they didn’t do what you said. The good news is that we can change “normal” when we are educated.
Argh! Lots more good talks but no more time today to write about them. I’ll just leave it that the The Institute for Human-Animal Connection hosted the conference, and I suspect that all the participants are more than grateful. The Institute is a center for the study of the interrelationship and health of people, animals and the environment. Check it out, if I could go back in time I think I’d enroll myself.
More to come in the weeks to follow. If you attended, I’d love to hear about your favorite talk, or what you found yourself thinking about most as you made your way home. And if you missed it, the next conference will be held at Green Chimneys, April 28-30, 2017. Hope to see you there…
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Haven’t been back long, but oh, so wonderful to be home this time of year! I was itching to get home and get my hands in the soil and my mouth around the whistle I use to cue Willie and Maggie. I got home Saturday night, and spent most of Sunday digging, pulling, hiking up the hill and working the dogs. Heaven. Except, uh, I can barely move.
I did get my butt out of bed early this morning for another lesson with Gordon Watt. Here’s one of his dogs watching him and another dog shed out a group of sheep for Maggie and I to work. We had a great lesson; if I could I’d work with him every day.
Things in the garden aren’t quite as good. We had a hard frost Saturday night (25 F) and although I covered the annuals, the native perinnials got hit hard, especially the new fronds of my ferns. My maindenhair ferns are one of my favorite plants. and they pretty much got slaughtered. Poor babes, not quite sure if I should cut off the frozen fronds and let the plant start over, or….? All advice welcome.
The tulips were none the worse for wear, although their blooms are just about gone. Here’ are last remaining ones in full bloom–I love the delicate tulip petals contrasted by the old, rusty fence in the background.
Michael Kaufmann says
It was a fabulous event at DU indeed- so informative.
What our modest Trisha did not mention is how frequently her work and writings were referenced in the talks by some of the speakers including Dr.Temple Grandin.
Trisha’s contributions to our understanding of canine behavior was a thread that could not be missed! Well deserved credit for good work of many years and it must have been fun to sit in the audience to see how ones work years is being cited and applied in a wider setting.
Michael Kaufmann
Sharon Woolman says
So jealous you are so close to Gordon!! Glad you had a great session.
Vicki in Michigan says
There is no way you could tell us too much about this conference, 15 pages, or 20 pages or 50 pages……………………. 🙂
Trisha says
And what modest Michael isn’t mentioning is all the outstanding work that he and colleagues do at Green Chimneys with troubled youth. What many of you might not know is that I worked with what were then called “troubled adolescents” in Alaska for two years. I write about that a bit in the memoir, and have always had a soft spot in my heart for the struggles of teenagers. I am thrilled to be able to visit them next spring, so thanks to Michael and all at Green Chimneys for all that they do.
And yes, my name was mentioned a few times, mostly by Temple Grandin. At first I was surprised, then flattered, then embarrassed. But thanks to all who came up and said such wonderful things. Those words gave me energy the next morning while I worked on my memoir revisions!
Kristen Collins says
Just knowing that such conference exists has given me an oxytocin dose! Thank you!
Gayla says
I agree with Vicki, – just can’t get enough of this type of science-based information.
Wish the entire conference was taped and for sale. Appreciate whatever you have time to share and for the links provided.
Trisha says
Gayla and Vicki, I’ll write more in the weeks to come!
Michelle says
Thank you Trisha. I’m so looking forward to hearing so much more about this conference. Wish I could’ve been there in person. I agree with Gayla and wish they offer the taped conference to those who couldn’t attend.
Ann says
Thanks for sharing! I work with “at risk” kids and the dogs they train. I see them come into the room after having an altercation in the regular classroom and watch them interact with the dogs and the tension seems to slide away. Ahhhhh science.
Cathy says
I had the pleasure of hearing Rupert speak at a fun event held by a local therapy business that uses horses to help children with autism as well as for others who need therapy. I read and enjoyed his book as well. I look forward to your blog on his talk and the others. Love the photo!
Andy says
I mentored an at-risk kid for about eight years. It was great, but I’ve since shifted all my volunteer time to dogs. I’d really like to mix the two pursuits. We have some occupational/therapeutic programs in town for youth and dogs, but I’d love it if we had something more informal where a bunch of trainers offered their time to teach kids basic handling skills and give them bonding opportunities with their *own* dogs. Might help prevent some intakes at the shelter, too.
On a related note, a fine young shelter dog I like just got admitted to a respected service dog organization here in town and is in training with an adoring handler. Yeah! I wish every outcome were as awesome as that!
That conference sounds great, thank you for sharing!
Mason Small says
Like others, I would love to read as much as you would like to write about the conference.
I am also really interested in your account of the different effects of oxytocin. The other day I did a training session with my two young and very different dogs before their midday walk (usually we train in the evening). During the subsequent walk – which is a “pack walk” since I am a dog walker – one dog was much more attuned to me than usual, less excited and distracted. The other was far more alert for potential ‘threats,’ barking at canine passersby, and less responsive to my attempts to redirect his attention. Assuming both got a ‘hit’ of oxytocin from the training session, in one it seemed to promote decreased fear/social bonding, and in the other the territoriality and us vs. them dynamic.
Anyone else have comments on how training sessions immediately effect their dogs’ feelings and behaviour?
Erica Elvove says
Thank you very much for this wonderful review of the conference, Patricia! It was such a pleasure hosting you and our 500 colleagues and friends. What a wonderful thing it is to see the growing support and body of evidence for the human-animal interaction field. Let’s all keep up the good work!
For those who are wondering, we did video record the entire conference. Clips of each speaker will be available in about 2 weeks. We’ll post details on our conference website, main website and Facebook page.
With Gratitude,
Erica
Assistant Director, Institute for Human-Animal Connection
Trisha says
Wonderful to know about the video clips Erica, thank you so much for letting us know. And thank you and all at the Institute for doing such an amazing job organizing the conference!
Bruce says
Mason – Training Red Dog immediately before a walk helps reduce distractions and increase focus. One cheeky squirrel can undo that quickly, though. Red Dog is more “play or prey” driven, though. With rare exceptions, the world is full of fun and excitement rather than threats. Rare exceptions include singing drunks outside a bar, and a turtle-sized black rock she found at the dog park.
Sandy, on the other hand, sees the world as a more threatening place (less so over time). Her response is to be hyper-compliant to obedience commands when we are out and about. Perhaps that is her way of self-soothing and triggering oxytocin through social bonding.
Trisha – Thank you for the conference write-up, and please do not hesitate to write more if you care to do so. I am surely not the only one to find this stuff fascinating.
I did read one article online that examined early psychology experiments on oxytocin (“trust game”). Initial studies reported that oxytocin increased trust, but later studies failed to replicate the effect. Causes cited included 1) improvements in preventing subjects from learning whether they received oxytocin vs. placebo; and 2) selection bias (positive studies were more likely to be published).
Science really is hard, I guess.
Robyn says
Yes, cut the ferns! What is crunchy brown cannot be ressurected. They will grow out again from the ground. This is my grandmother’s advice and she was famous for taking people’s dead plants only to return them in a month with strict instruction on how to care for them.
I always love your blog and this aspect of the dog/human relationship. I will be reading more on the theme. Thank you for feeding all of us dog lovers
Straja linder king says
What inspired writings …thank you! This conference will be a must for me next time. How wonderful to witness the documented findings that we already carry instinctively. This gathering sounds stimulating and most certainly will affirm my years of including non human animals in my counselling work. With deepest gratitude…..
Straja & the Strawberrymoon Dogs, Twillow Rose and Tala Rain
meg daley olmert says
Thank you Trisha for your excellent recap of the DU conference. The oxytocin story continues to unfold and with every twist and turn informs our work. OT is even playing a support (reward) role in your vocal convergence research. Here’s a video that howls it all. It’s probably already appeared in your blog, but who would turn down and encore of this? Great to see you and hope to bond more with you and your excellent work! Meg
herhttp://www.littlebudha.com/a-mom-caught-her-baby-talking-to-their-dog-their-conversation-amazed-me/?utm_source=14-M-201&utm_medium=og_3&utm_campaign=a-mom-caught-her-baby-talking-to-their-dog-their-conversation-amazed-me_14-M-201
Kat says
Last week several members of our Therapy Dogs International Chapter took their dogs to a University for finals week stress relief. We estimate somewhere in excess of 120 students came by to love on the dogs. Massive oxytocin hit for all involved. Looking at the photos and talking to all the handlers later it was fascinating how the different dogs reacted. Ranger, who I describe as an oxytocin junkie, was stretched out on his side usually with a minimum of four students at a time petting him. Relaxed, mellow, smiling, and at the end of the event very compliant. Another dog was full of energy and needed to move and keep moving by the end of the event. The smallest dog just wanted to be done, she’d had enough and wasn’t prepared to listen to anyone about anything. And the Flat-Coated Retriever, also stretched out on his side usually with multiple students at a time, looked absent by the end–He looked like I feel when I’m pretending to be somewhere else at the dentists office. Four dogs, nearly identical experiences and very different reactions. I haven’t uploaded the photos to Flickr yet so I don’t have a link to share but anyone on Facebook can visit our chapter page Therapy Dogs International Chapter 270 and look in the May 21, 2016 album.