Descripción de perros entrenados mediante el método Pellitero durante la Terapia Asistida con Perros (TAP) en la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

Therapy with dogs (TAP) has gained great importance and has been introduced as a valuable therapeutic resource in different social, educational, and clinical contexts. The effectiveness of TAP depends largely on the training and well-being of the animal in question. In Guayaquil, the Pellitero Method has been used as an innovative technique that places special emphasis on internal motivation, affection toward the dog, and the dog's independence in performing activities. Therefore, the main objective of this study has been to analyze, from an ethological and physiological point of view, the behavior of three dogs trained with this method in two different contexts in the city of Guayaquil: in the Prefecture of Guayas and at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. An ethogram will be used and heart rate will be measured before and after the sessions. The results show significant results in interactions such as social contact (p=0.0159), obedience (p=0.0374), and well-being (p=0.0002), compared to variables such as stress and insecurity, which did not show significant differences between the dogs. In terms of physiology, heart rates were within normal ranges and normalized over the course of the sessions. The results indicate that the Pellitero method induced prosociality, self-regulation, and well-being.