What data will be collected and stored? –
1)the organization’s Request for communication that provides info about the dog and the topics to be addressed; 2) the organization’s response to Survey 1 relating to the topics addressed in communication session; 3) the organization’s response to Survey 2 relating to the organizations opinions on the potential for animal communication to benefit the animals and the organizations; and 3) the audio and video recording of the communication session.
What responsibility do the organizations and communicators have relating to the data? –
Each organization will use a mobile device or computer to log on to the app to complete the Request for communication and to respond to the 2 short post-session surveys. Both communicators and the organization’s designated representative will attend the virtual communication session which will be audio and video recorded. GAV is responsible for storing the data.
Will the organizations have access to recordings of the the communication sessions for their dogs? –
Yes. Organizations can login to view the recordings.
Are there limits on the kinds of topics that can be addressed? –
Yes. Because communicators cannot provide medical diagnoses or treatment advice, organizations cannot ask communicators to diagnose or suggest treatments. However, organizations can ask the communicator to ask if the dog is experiencing pain or discomfort, the level of intensity and the locations of the pain or discomfort.
What is the communicator’s role during the communication session? –
To 1) establish a rapport with dog and invite the dog to express whatever it wants 2) address topics specified in the organization’s Request or brought up by the organizations’ representative during the session; 3) verbally convey all information received during the session to the organization’s representative.
Will communicators offer additional services or communicate with the dogs outside the recorded sessions? –
No. Some animal communicators do offer additional services such as Reiki or EFT/tapping in their private practice. However, to ensure the organizations’ Survey responses reflect only the impact of animal communication provided during Pilot 3, all communicators agree to limit their involvement solely to providing communication during the recorded session.
Will communicators provide advice or suggest actions or decisions relating to the care of the animal? –
No. Communicators understand that the organization retains sole discretion relating to the decisions or actions relating to the care of the animal, and all communicators agree not to provide advice as as to care as that could compromise the organizations’ Survey responses.
What if the dog asks for more communication? –
Because all communicators agree to communicate with the dogs only during the recorded sessions, the communicator will tell the dog that it will relay the request to the organization. Then the organization will decide whether to request additional communication.
How will the communication sessions be conducted? –
A GAV representative hosts the communication session via a recorded audio and video conference and attends the session to provide technical support and to ensure Pilot protocol is followed. The communicator and the organization’s designated representative (staff, volunteer or foster) with knowledge of the dog will also attend. The dog does NOT need to be in the same room as the organization’s representative.
Will the organization have direct contact with the communicator? –
Direct contact between organizations and communicators is limited to the videoconferencing session. All other contact and correspondence will be between the participants and GAV. At the conclusion of the study, organizations and communicators may contact each other to discuss possible future communication sessions.
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