CANINE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION SUMMARY AND PUBLIC OUTREACH

Abstract

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) research is essential in understanding the aging canine brain and potentially understanding Alzheimer's Disease. Within the realm of research, most people question, "Why study dogs when there are other matters about humans that should take priority?". Studying CCD is vital in helping improve the welfare of our animals as well as their long-term comfort. Through CCD research, it has been found that a diagnosis of CCD is possible and attainable through veterinarian assessment and owner-reported surveys. Diagnosis is important because it helps provide insight into the behavior of elderly dogs. Understanding behavior can lead to changes in the home to help make elderly dogs more comfortable. Some common symptoms of CCD include getting stuck behind furniture or doors, forgetting where food and water are, forgetting where the doggy door is, not recognizing familiar people, and changes in sleep and wake cycles. Through this thesis, I have compiled a literature review of current research regarding CCD, launched a social media campaign to raise awareness for CCD, and then created a report with analytics of how the media launch performed. The goal of my thesis was to learn more about CCD and then educate as many dog owners as possible on what CCD is and how to help their dogs. Through my media launch, 4,331 people viewed posted content and were exposed to what CCD is. Graphics and Videos were launched on accounts on both Instagram and TikTok. Each account also had a Linktree link on the profile page that would direct people to research articles analyzed by the "Literature Review" portion.