biostudies-literatureUnknown12(12)Russo GAnimal-assisted interventions (AAIs) or Services (AAS) may cause stress in participating dogs, making the selection of suitable individuals essential to prevent strain. Different non-standardized approaches currently exist to assess dogs' suitability for AAIs. This preliminary study aimed at evaluating two combined tools, a behavioural aptitude test (<i>SuiTe</i>) and an ad hoc revised questionnaire incorporating C-BARQ, for pre-screening dog suitability for AAIs, also in relation to salivary cortisol measured by enzyme immunoassay in <i>N</i> = 38 dogs. Dogs' behavioural responses to environmental and social stimuli were scored on an X-Y scale and classified by two independent evaluators as suitable (S), pending suitability (P), or unsuitable (U). Non-parametric tests were performed (<i>pVeterinary sciences1110https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12737594biostudies-literatureA Pre-Screening Tool to Assess Dog Suitability for Animal-Assisted Interventions: Preliminary Results for Dog-Suitability Tests (<i>SuiTe</i>).PMC12737594Borrelli CBentivoglio MRusso GRiggio GRosson EMariti CfalseA Pre-Screening Tool to Assess Dog Suitability for Animal-Assisted Interventions: Preliminary Results for Dog-Suitability Tests (<i>SuiTe</i>).Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) or Services (AAS) may cause stress in participating dogs, making the selection of suitable individuals essential to prevent strain. Different non-standardized approaches currently exist to assess dogs' suitability for AAIs. This preliminary study aimed at evaluating two combined tools, a behavioural aptitude test (<i>SuiTe</i>) and an ad hoc revised questionnaire incorporating C-BARQ, for pre-screening dog suitability for AAIs, also in relation to salivary cortisol measured by enzyme immunoassay in <i>N</i> = 38 dogs. Dogs' behavioural responses to environmental and social stimuli were scored on an X-Y scale and classified by two independent evaluators as suitable (S), pending suitability (P), or unsuitable (U). Non-parametric tests were performed (<i>p2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-05-27T03:17:26.566Z2026-05-27T03:11:40.379ZS-EPMC127375944147209110.3390/vetsci12121110