Recognition of animals' sentience led to concerns for their welfare. Since animals can neither obtain nor sustain rights for themselves they depend upon humans for their welfare. Stewardship involves responsibility for something and also responsibility to someone. This can mean responsibility to God, or for those without religious beliefs ...

Positive therapy dog welfare is critical to assess because the experience of good welfare is not solely the absence of stressful or aversive experiences. Rather, focus should be placed on assessing if the dog is comfortable and experiencing enjoyment while working.

A potentially relevant indicator of positive welfare is the peripheral concentration of the neurohormone oxytocin, which has been found to increase in systemic circulation within a variety of species during positive social and affiliative contexts, including during human-dog interaction.

Dogs Trust Worldwide, an international Non-Governmental Organisation which works to improve canine welfare, is applying a Theory of Change framework to define and unpick key challenges faced when collaborating with local partners to achieve its mission.

This assessment can be used with new dogs that may have potential welfare issues in kennels or to look at long term dogs on a regular basis This assessment can also be used to highlight areas of concern and aid in the improvement of an individuals welfare by targeting the areas the dog is struggling with.