Contribution to the special issue on clinical ethology: On the applicability of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as an intervention in dogs with fear and anxiety disorders after a traumatic event

Abstract Fear and anxiety disorders are prevalent in dogs. These not adequately resolved by current interventions, which urges exploration of additional interventions. In humans, fear such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), effectively treated Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a non-invasive non-pharmacological intervention involving bilateral sensory stimulation while memorizing the traumatic event, resulting decreased emotionality memory. We argue might be applied an for dogs, adding to currently available interventions field Clinical Ethology. Particularly nonverbal protocols used preverbal children can setup adapted Future research should focus on development including proper controls, clinical effectiveness Apart from behavioural measures, psychophysiological variables incorporated well.