The aim of the University of Sydney's ARC Linkage Project is to evaluate the impact of new interdisciplinary project to enhance dog health to benefit community health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities. As well as the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, the other parties involved in this project are AMRRIC, RSPCA NSW, Idexx Laboratories, Menzies School of Health Research (MSHR) and the University of Wollongong. 

The University of Sydney Field Research Team consists of Dr Robert Dixon, who is the Team Leader and researcher in Animal Welfare and Public Health, Dr Graeme Brown, a Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases, Dr Sophie Constable, a PhD student involved in the development of a culturally appropriate dog health knowledge sharing  program specific for each community, and Dr Rose Dixon who is also involved in the development of the education program. A recently appointed Indigenous Masters student, Layla Schrieber is studying Indigenous knowledge of zoonotic disease and the epidemiology of human and canine streptococci in one community.(L- Research team , Drs Robert Dixon, Graeme Brown and Sophie Constable (AMRRIC Junior Vice President).  

The project is examining the relationships between culturally-appropriate education and training, dog health and welfare, and human health and welfare in 6 remote Indigenous communities across Australia. The project is documenting the health and welfare of dogs, instituting dog health programs and using this data in an educational intervention to improve the health and welfare outcomes of dogs in these communities. It seeks to demonstrate that the improvement of the health and welfare of dogs through sustainable dog health programs is directly due to the community involvement catalysed by specifically-designed knowledge and skill sharing  activities  and the improvement of dog health and welfare will also impact on human health and welfare in Indigenous communities. (R- Dr Graeme Brown working in Yuendemu NT) 

Results so far (June 2009).

All 6 communities have been recruited and all the initial dog health surveys completed. The communities are Ti Tree and Nguiu in NT, Yarrabah QLD, Bidyadanga WA, Collarenebri and Goodooga NSW.  A pilot project was also conducted in Yuednumu. Analysis of the dog health survey data is continuing at the University of Sydney, now principally at a molecular level. Many of the problems associated with obtaining diagnostic samples from remote areas have now been overcome with the application of new isolation and detection techniques. (pictured L, Allan Kerinaua, his dog Singapore and Dr Robert Dixon). 

This has involved using DNA probes to detect Salmonella spp and Campylobacter spp (in collaboration with Concord Hospital, Sydney), using DNA probes to detect the presence of Anaplasma and Rickettsia species (with the Australian Rickettsia Reference Lab in Geelong) and the genotyping of Giardia, Cryptosporidium and hookworm species (in collaboration with University of Queensland). Other collaborations have been with Charles Sturt University at Wagga for the detection of antigens associated with hydatid disease, with James Cook University Townsville/Cairns and MSHR Darwin for the detection of the virulence factors associated with Streptococci and the identification of CA-MRSA isolated from dogs and recently with University of Technology Sydney for Blastocystis detection and genotyping. 

The knowledge sharing aspect of the program is collating new data on contemporary views about dogs in these communities, exploring the reasons for the current health and welfare situations (such as access to dog health services),  and starting work on sharing this knowledge with local community members and the wider community to begin to institute greater understanding and positive change. 

Every community has its unique set of socio cultural, historical, economic and epidemiologic factors to consider, and so an important aspect of the program is the flexibility necessary for addressing these needs appropriately and sustainably. For example, in some communities the women artists have been commissioned to paint stories to communicate this information, whereas in others, local environmental health workers have produced pamphlets and advertising using IT.   Actively upskilling and involving local residents is continuing to be an important part of the project. (Pictured R- at Bidyadanga WA, Chicky Clements, Sarah, Sophie Constable, Dominic and baby Hannah). 

Attitudes to animals and to dogs have been assessed. Standard non-Indigenous instruments were found to be unsatisfactory and abandoned. A semi-structured interview approach was used and revealed that despite the apparent poor health and welfare in many, but not all, aspects measured, Indigenous Australians have similar positive feelings for their pets as non-Indigenous pet owners.   Further, the importance of dogs to the community as a whole, at a cultural level, regardless of an individual’s preferences, can also have important repercussions for a dog health program.