Papers by Laura Kiiroja
Frontiers in allergy, Mar 28, 2024
Can scent-detection dogs detect the stress associated with trauma cue exposure in people with tra... more Can scent-detection dogs detect the stress associated with trauma cue exposure in people with trauma histories? A proof-ofconcept study.
![Research paper thumbnail of Can scent-detection dogs detect the stress associated with trauma cue exposure in people with trauma histories? A proof-of-concept study [OPEN ACCESS]](https://a.academia-assets.com/images/blank-paper.jpg)
Frontiers in Allergy, 2024
Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an impairing mental health condition with ... more Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an impairing mental health condition with high prevalence among military and general populations alike. PTSD service dogs are a complementary and alternative intervention needing scientific validation. We investigated whether dogs can detect putative stress-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the breath of people with trauma histories (54% with PTSD) exposed to personalized trauma cues.
Methods: Breath samples were collected from 26 humans over 40 experimental sessions during a calm (control breath sample) and stressed state induced by trauma cue exposure (target breath sample). Two scent detection canines were presented with the samples in a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) discrimination and yes/no detection task. The 2AFC task assessed the dogs' ability to discriminate between the two states within the breath samples of one individual. The detection task determined their ability to generalize the target odour across different individuals and different stressful events of one individual. Signal Detection Theory was applied to assess dogs' sensitivity, specificity, precision, and response bias.
Results: The dogs performed at ∼90% accuracy across all sample sets in the discrimination experiment, and at 74% and 81% accuracy, respectively, in the detection experiment. Further analysis of dog olfactory performance in relation to human donor self-reported emotional responses to trauma cue exposure suggested the dogs may have been detecting distinct endocrine stress markers. One dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported fear responses and the other dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported shame responses. Based on these correlations between dog performance and donor self-report measures, we speculate that the VOCs each dog was detecting likely originated from the sympathetico-adreno-medullary axis (SAM; adrenaline, noradrenaline) in the case of the first dog and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA; glucocorticoids) in the case of the second dog.
Conclusion: Our proof-of-concept study is the first to demonstrate that some dogs can detect putative VOCs emitted by people with trauma histories when experiencing distress theoretically associated with the intrusion and arousal/reactivity symptoms of PTSD. Results have potential to improve the effectiveness and training protocol of PTSD service dogs with a focus on enhancing their alert function.
Animals are. A multitude of diff erent species surrounds us in our everyday doings, and infl uenc... more Animals are. A multitude of diff erent species surrounds us in our everyday doings, and infl uences our behaviour and culture. Dogs and cats develop delicate and personal relationships with the families they belong to. Swans and geese are waiting to be fed by passers-by. Th e wing-strokes of doves and jackdaws give a subtle ephemeral atmosphere to our cities. Spiders, snails and snakes are met with surprise or disgust. Beavers are blamed for reshaping the landscapes, and wolves for killing livestock. People and animals engage and interact in a number of ways: from hunting and fi shing to bird-watching, from the help provided by assistance dogs to family holidays in zoological gardens and animal parks. Children's fi rst encounters with the written word oft en take place through animal stories. And many fi ctional animal characters are known and internationally celebrated by name: Lassie, Moby Dick, Bambi, King Kong, etc. None of these interactions would be possible without semiotic processes: perception, communication and interpretation occurring between humans and animals. Sign relations or mediated relations that connect humans with other animal species are the very subject of this collective monograph. We make an inquiry into the semiotic character of diff erent species, study the ways in which humans endow animals with meaning, and analyse how animal sign exchange and communication has coped with environmental change. In this research, our core disciplinary framework is zoosemiotics, the semiotic study of animals-the paradigm that was proposed by the eminent American-Hungarian semiotician Th omas A. Sebeok in the 1960s and that recently had its fi ft ieth anniversary. Our approach is essentially semiotic and biosemiotic. At the same time, we engage in dialogues with ecocriticism, Actor-Network Th eory, posthumanism and other contemporary schools of the humanities, as well as with more practically oriented research topics in visitor studies, animal welfare studies and humananimal studies, not to forget ethology and conservation biology. Th is book is a collective eff ort. Its authors belong to the research group in zoosemiotics and human-animal relations based in the Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu in Estonia, and at the University of Stavanger in Norway. Th e two opening chapters are written and edited collectively and present a framework of philosophical, historical, epistemological and methodological matters of zoosemiotic research. Th ese initial considerations are followed by specifi c case studies that have been conducted by individual authors. Th e specifi c chapters, however, have been cross-edited and commented on by other TIMO MARAN ET AL
Animal Umwelten in a Changing World. Zoosemiotic perspectives, 2016
One of the aspects of biosemiotics that have not yet been covered in scientific literature is the... more One of the aspects of biosemiotics that have not yet been covered in scientific literature is the advantages it offers in popularizing nature. One of the examples in Estonian nature literature where one could recognize an implicit biosemiotic approach is Fred Jüssi’s Jäälõhkuja. Also, there exist certain literary techniques in the book that strengthen Jüssi’s nature-popularizing message. The goal of this article is to illustrate the possibilities of applying biosemiotic approach and literary techniques for popularizing nature with the example of Jäälõhkuja. As a secondary aim, the article provides constructive feedback for Fred Jüssi’s work in Estonian cultural context.
Biosemiotic approach helps emphasize the communicative nature of plants and animals, encouraging the reader to pay more attention to the sign processes excisting in nature. Considering all living organisms as subjects and attempting to perceive the world from the perspective of their Umwelt enables the reader to better comprehend the value of every single element of the ecosystem. Biosemiotic approach contributes to several literary techniques, such as personification and playing with perspectives, that support the author’s effort in animating nature and inducing empathy in the reader. In order to peculiarize the ordinary and make the perception process more intensive, Jüssi has used techniques like slow writing, adding contrasts and oppositions, chronological shifting, and anecdotal and perception-based writing style. The article highlights even more literary techniques that help the author discreetly present his subjective worldview and criticism on society.
Linnastumise ja infotehnoloogia arenguga on paraku kaasnenud kultuuri ja looduse järk-järguline v... more Linnastumise ja infotehnoloogia arenguga on paraku kaasnenud kultuuri ja looduse järk-järguline võõrandumine, mille tagajärjel on inimühiskonnal keeruline loodusega kooskõlastatult eksisteerida. Süvenevat lõhet kultuuri ja looduse vahel on üritatud tasandada teiste seas ka looduse populariseerimise kaudu. Samas on vastavate ettevõtmiste ja teoste mõtestamine ning tagasiside jäänud Eestis puudulikuks. Üheks looduse populariseerimise näiteks on Aleksei Turovski looduskirjanduslik teos “Loomult loom”, mille biosemiootiline lähenemine on võimeline mitmekesistama ühekülgset suhtumist loomadesse Eesti ühiskonnas. Biosemiootilisele lähenemisele omaselt on raamatus asetatud loomad subjekti positsiooni, püüeldud vaadelda olukorda looma omailma perspektiivist, pööratud tähelepanu loomade kognitiivsete võimete olemasolule (sh kontekstuaalne arusaamine, mängimine, ettekujutamine, valetamine, õppimine) ning rõhutatud kommunikatsiooni- ja märgiprotsesside määravat rolli nende elus. Biosemiootika analüüsimeetodite rakendamisel on võimalik muuta positiivsemaks ja tõhusamaks inimeste ning loomade vahelist interaktsiooni. Niisugusel etoloogiat, zooloogiat, biosemiootikat jt asjakohaseid teadusharusid kaasaval interdistsiplinaarsel käsitlusel on tugev rakenduslik potentsiaal looma heaolu suurendamisega tegelevates teadusalades.
Talks by Laura Kiiroja
Wolves give rise to controversy not only in the wild but also in captivity. Due to their genetica... more Wolves give rise to controversy not only in the wild but also in captivity. Due to their genetically inherited fear of humans, wolves in captivity are notorious for persistent escape attempts, self-destructive behaviours, stereotypical behaviour and over-all suffering. Socialization of wolves with humans makes the animals more suitable for living in captive environments by reducing their fear of humans. Although proven effective, it is still a widely unknown and often misunderstood method of improving animal welfare for captive wolves.
In this paper, a semiotic approach is used to explain the essence and proper methodology of socialization of wolves with humans for animal welfare purposes. Emphasis is put on understanding the changes in the animal’s Umwelt and in the human–animal relationship. The interdisciplinary theoretical contribution will be supported by Laura Kiiroja’s practical experiences with socialization of wolves in USA and Germany, and by Morten Tønnessen’s studies of wolf socialization in two Norwegian zoos (Langedrag mountain farm and wildlife park and Polar Zoo). Additionally, Kiiroja has conducted semi-structured interviews with world-recognized experts.
The study explains how proper socialization aims to change the human’s significance in the animal’s Umwelt from enemy to social partner. This requires social human-imprinting, and using consistently positive methods of taming and handling. In fact, using aversive techniques, such as dominance theory and punishment, damages socialization and results in dangerous situations. Working “on animal terms” and establishing effective inter-specific communication is crucial for avoiding conflicts and maintaining positive and healthy relationships. The authors suggest that a zoosemiotic approach complements more mainstream ethological knowledge in human–animal interactions and is capable of advancing animal welfare as well as give zoo visitors more realistic experiences of wolves.
The pros and cons of socializing captive wolves will be analysed. Animal welfare will improve with more opportunities for enrichment, less stressful effect of visitors, and better veterinary routines and husbandry practices. Avoiding suffering caused by constant fear enables the animal to display a quite complete species-specific behavioural repertoire. This is a benefit for behavioural research on captive wolves. Additionally, seeing the wolves in close proximity or interacting with them triggers empathy and interest in visitors, and this may contribute positively to support for wolf conservation. On the downside, zoos and other facilities keeping socialized wolves should be aware of the possibility that visitors might misinterpret wolves as potential pets, and adjust their education program accordingly. The management of these facilities should furthermore invest in educated wolf personnel, to be able to meet the requirements of proper wolf socialization.
Wolves are notorious for suffering in capNvity. Merely tame or habituated capNve wolves will neve... more Wolves are notorious for suffering in capNvity. Merely tame or habituated capNve wolves will never have as relaxed and stress-free life as socialized wolves.
"Wolf-human conflict in Estonia: conservation and the zoo"
Concepts like habituation, taming, socialization, imprinting, and even domestication are widely m... more Concepts like habituation, taming, socialization, imprinting, and even domestication are widely misunderstood and their utilization is rather confusing. Yet, these phenomena differ significantly in the essence (or abscence) of human-animal relationship involved and its effect on animal welfare. Moreover, these terms are used to identify individual animals and often to justify the husbandry and management practices as well as means of human-animal interaction.
Books by Laura Kiiroja
![Research paper thumbnail of Animal Umwelten in a Changing World. Zoosemiotic Perspectives [FULL OPEN ACCESS]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/50543039/thumbnails/1.jpg)
“Animal Umwelten in a Changing World. Zoosemiotic Perspectives” raises semiotic questions of huma... more “Animal Umwelten in a Changing World. Zoosemiotic Perspectives” raises semiotic questions of human-animal relations: what is the semiotic character of different species, how humans endow animals with meaning, and how animal sign exchange and communication has coped with environmental change. The book takes a zoosemiotic approach and considers different species as being integrated with the environment via their specific umwelt or subjective perceptual world. The authors elaborate J. v. Uexküll’s concept of umwelt to make it applicable for analyzing complex and dynamical interactions between animals, humans, environment and culture. The opening chapters of the book present a framework for philosophical, historical, epistemological and methodological aspects of zoosemiotic research. These initial considerations are followed by specific case studies: on human–animal interactions in zoological gardens, communication in the teams of visually disabled persons and guiding dogs, semiotics of the animal condition in philosophy, historical changes in the role of animals in human households, the semiotics of predation, cultural perception of novel species, and other topics. The authors belong to the research group in zoosemiotics and human–animal relations based in the Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu in Estonia, and in the University of Stavanger in Norway.
POPULARIZED WORK / MEDIA APPEARANCES by Laura Kiiroja
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS by Laura Kiiroja
A one-day seminar about the wolf’s role in the ecosystem, wolf and dog behavior comparison, wolf ... more A one-day seminar about the wolf’s role in the ecosystem, wolf and dog behavior comparison, wolf and dog socialization with humans, and aggression in dogs.
Other by Laura Kiiroja
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Papers by Laura Kiiroja
Methods: Breath samples were collected from 26 humans over 40 experimental sessions during a calm (control breath sample) and stressed state induced by trauma cue exposure (target breath sample). Two scent detection canines were presented with the samples in a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) discrimination and yes/no detection task. The 2AFC task assessed the dogs' ability to discriminate between the two states within the breath samples of one individual. The detection task determined their ability to generalize the target odour across different individuals and different stressful events of one individual. Signal Detection Theory was applied to assess dogs' sensitivity, specificity, precision, and response bias.
Results: The dogs performed at ∼90% accuracy across all sample sets in the discrimination experiment, and at 74% and 81% accuracy, respectively, in the detection experiment. Further analysis of dog olfactory performance in relation to human donor self-reported emotional responses to trauma cue exposure suggested the dogs may have been detecting distinct endocrine stress markers. One dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported fear responses and the other dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported shame responses. Based on these correlations between dog performance and donor self-report measures, we speculate that the VOCs each dog was detecting likely originated from the sympathetico-adreno-medullary axis (SAM; adrenaline, noradrenaline) in the case of the first dog and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA; glucocorticoids) in the case of the second dog.
Conclusion: Our proof-of-concept study is the first to demonstrate that some dogs can detect putative VOCs emitted by people with trauma histories when experiencing distress theoretically associated with the intrusion and arousal/reactivity symptoms of PTSD. Results have potential to improve the effectiveness and training protocol of PTSD service dogs with a focus on enhancing their alert function.
Biosemiotic approach helps emphasize the communicative nature of plants and animals, encouraging the reader to pay more attention to the sign processes excisting in nature. Considering all living organisms as subjects and attempting to perceive the world from the perspective of their Umwelt enables the reader to better comprehend the value of every single element of the ecosystem. Biosemiotic approach contributes to several literary techniques, such as personification and playing with perspectives, that support the author’s effort in animating nature and inducing empathy in the reader. In order to peculiarize the ordinary and make the perception process more intensive, Jüssi has used techniques like slow writing, adding contrasts and oppositions, chronological shifting, and anecdotal and perception-based writing style. The article highlights even more literary techniques that help the author discreetly present his subjective worldview and criticism on society.
Talks by Laura Kiiroja
In this paper, a semiotic approach is used to explain the essence and proper methodology of socialization of wolves with humans for animal welfare purposes. Emphasis is put on understanding the changes in the animal’s Umwelt and in the human–animal relationship. The interdisciplinary theoretical contribution will be supported by Laura Kiiroja’s practical experiences with socialization of wolves in USA and Germany, and by Morten Tønnessen’s studies of wolf socialization in two Norwegian zoos (Langedrag mountain farm and wildlife park and Polar Zoo). Additionally, Kiiroja has conducted semi-structured interviews with world-recognized experts.
The study explains how proper socialization aims to change the human’s significance in the animal’s Umwelt from enemy to social partner. This requires social human-imprinting, and using consistently positive methods of taming and handling. In fact, using aversive techniques, such as dominance theory and punishment, damages socialization and results in dangerous situations. Working “on animal terms” and establishing effective inter-specific communication is crucial for avoiding conflicts and maintaining positive and healthy relationships. The authors suggest that a zoosemiotic approach complements more mainstream ethological knowledge in human–animal interactions and is capable of advancing animal welfare as well as give zoo visitors more realistic experiences of wolves.
The pros and cons of socializing captive wolves will be analysed. Animal welfare will improve with more opportunities for enrichment, less stressful effect of visitors, and better veterinary routines and husbandry practices. Avoiding suffering caused by constant fear enables the animal to display a quite complete species-specific behavioural repertoire. This is a benefit for behavioural research on captive wolves. Additionally, seeing the wolves in close proximity or interacting with them triggers empathy and interest in visitors, and this may contribute positively to support for wolf conservation. On the downside, zoos and other facilities keeping socialized wolves should be aware of the possibility that visitors might misinterpret wolves as potential pets, and adjust their education program accordingly. The management of these facilities should furthermore invest in educated wolf personnel, to be able to meet the requirements of proper wolf socialization.
Books by Laura Kiiroja
POPULARIZED WORK / MEDIA APPEARANCES by Laura Kiiroja
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS by Laura Kiiroja
Other by Laura Kiiroja
Methods: Breath samples were collected from 26 humans over 40 experimental sessions during a calm (control breath sample) and stressed state induced by trauma cue exposure (target breath sample). Two scent detection canines were presented with the samples in a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) discrimination and yes/no detection task. The 2AFC task assessed the dogs' ability to discriminate between the two states within the breath samples of one individual. The detection task determined their ability to generalize the target odour across different individuals and different stressful events of one individual. Signal Detection Theory was applied to assess dogs' sensitivity, specificity, precision, and response bias.
Results: The dogs performed at ∼90% accuracy across all sample sets in the discrimination experiment, and at 74% and 81% accuracy, respectively, in the detection experiment. Further analysis of dog olfactory performance in relation to human donor self-reported emotional responses to trauma cue exposure suggested the dogs may have been detecting distinct endocrine stress markers. One dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported fear responses and the other dog's performance correlated with the human donors' self-reported shame responses. Based on these correlations between dog performance and donor self-report measures, we speculate that the VOCs each dog was detecting likely originated from the sympathetico-adreno-medullary axis (SAM; adrenaline, noradrenaline) in the case of the first dog and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA; glucocorticoids) in the case of the second dog.
Conclusion: Our proof-of-concept study is the first to demonstrate that some dogs can detect putative VOCs emitted by people with trauma histories when experiencing distress theoretically associated with the intrusion and arousal/reactivity symptoms of PTSD. Results have potential to improve the effectiveness and training protocol of PTSD service dogs with a focus on enhancing their alert function.
Biosemiotic approach helps emphasize the communicative nature of plants and animals, encouraging the reader to pay more attention to the sign processes excisting in nature. Considering all living organisms as subjects and attempting to perceive the world from the perspective of their Umwelt enables the reader to better comprehend the value of every single element of the ecosystem. Biosemiotic approach contributes to several literary techniques, such as personification and playing with perspectives, that support the author’s effort in animating nature and inducing empathy in the reader. In order to peculiarize the ordinary and make the perception process more intensive, Jüssi has used techniques like slow writing, adding contrasts and oppositions, chronological shifting, and anecdotal and perception-based writing style. The article highlights even more literary techniques that help the author discreetly present his subjective worldview and criticism on society.
In this paper, a semiotic approach is used to explain the essence and proper methodology of socialization of wolves with humans for animal welfare purposes. Emphasis is put on understanding the changes in the animal’s Umwelt and in the human–animal relationship. The interdisciplinary theoretical contribution will be supported by Laura Kiiroja’s practical experiences with socialization of wolves in USA and Germany, and by Morten Tønnessen’s studies of wolf socialization in two Norwegian zoos (Langedrag mountain farm and wildlife park and Polar Zoo). Additionally, Kiiroja has conducted semi-structured interviews with world-recognized experts.
The study explains how proper socialization aims to change the human’s significance in the animal’s Umwelt from enemy to social partner. This requires social human-imprinting, and using consistently positive methods of taming and handling. In fact, using aversive techniques, such as dominance theory and punishment, damages socialization and results in dangerous situations. Working “on animal terms” and establishing effective inter-specific communication is crucial for avoiding conflicts and maintaining positive and healthy relationships. The authors suggest that a zoosemiotic approach complements more mainstream ethological knowledge in human–animal interactions and is capable of advancing animal welfare as well as give zoo visitors more realistic experiences of wolves.
The pros and cons of socializing captive wolves will be analysed. Animal welfare will improve with more opportunities for enrichment, less stressful effect of visitors, and better veterinary routines and husbandry practices. Avoiding suffering caused by constant fear enables the animal to display a quite complete species-specific behavioural repertoire. This is a benefit for behavioural research on captive wolves. Additionally, seeing the wolves in close proximity or interacting with them triggers empathy and interest in visitors, and this may contribute positively to support for wolf conservation. On the downside, zoos and other facilities keeping socialized wolves should be aware of the possibility that visitors might misinterpret wolves as potential pets, and adjust their education program accordingly. The management of these facilities should furthermore invest in educated wolf personnel, to be able to meet the requirements of proper wolf socialization.