Who Can Participate?
You may be eligible to participate if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a patient of Dr. Tom Gibson, orthopaedic surgeon at Grand River Veterinary Surgical Services.
- You are the owner of a dog that will be undergoing a TPLO surgery.
- You own an iPhone and have a WiFi connection at home.
This research study has been reviewed by the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants and animals (REB#23-06-039).
What is Involved
in the Study?
- Put an activity tracker on your dog. The trackers come on a collar that may be adjusted to your dog’s size.
- Ensure that your dog wears that collar for 18 weeks (2 weeks before surgery and 16 weeks after).
- Follow a specific rehabilitation program after surgery.
- Come to all your scheduled rechecks with Dr. Gibson.
- At each recheck, respond to a brief survey.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Q: How do I create an account with Maven?
A: In the box provided to you (which contains the tracker, the collar, two chargers and the hub), there is a card with a QR code. This will lead you to a web page where you will be instructed to sign up. You will then have to download the app on your phone and sign in. For more information, please click here to be redirected to the manufacturer’s website.
Q: How do I set up the tracker?
A: There are detailed instructions in a booklet in the box. First, you should start by charging the tracker. Then, you will have to connect the hub to your home WIFI network using the app.
Q: How does the tracker work?
A: The tracker works in sync with the hub that is connected to your home’s WIFI. The tracker (the white plastic box inside your dog’s collar) collects your dog’s information and relays it to the hub. That’s how us, researchers, can access your dog’s information (level of physical activity, sleep pattern and respiration rate). That means that when you are out of the house with your dog, the tracker is no longer able to connect to the hub and relay the information. Although the tracker itself can hold information for about a day and transmit it later to the hub, we suggest you bring the hub with you if you go away for longer periods (a weekend at the cottage, for example).
Q: What does the app do?
A: The Maven app allows you to log in and create an account for your dog. It also allows you to connect the hub to the WIFI. The app will also notify you if the tracker is low on battery, so you can charge it. Although there is a journaling function on the app, you are not require to use it for the purpose of this project.
Q: What happens if I can’t follow the rehabilitation program that was given to me?
A: You can withdraw from the study with no penalty. Simply reach out to Grand River Veterinary Surgical Services and let them know. They will address your concerns with the rehab program.
Q: What if I prefer to follow an in-person physical rehabilitation program with a specialist?
A: It is important for you to know that following an in-person physical rehab program remains the best option following an orthopedic surgery, and we encourage you to do it if you can. We only offer you to participate in this study if you opt-out of an in-person, specialized program. If, throughout the study, you change your mind and would like to try in-person rehab, simply let us know! You can withdraw from the research project without any penalty.
Q: What will happen to my incentives if I withdraw?
A: We will give you a gas gift card for $25 CAD at the 2-week recheck and another $25 CAD gift card at the 16-week recheck (for a total of $50 CAD) as a token of our appreciation. If you withdraw from the study, you may keep the gift card that was already given to you, but you will not receive another one at your 16-week recheck.
Researcher Contact Information
If you have additional questions or would like to participate, please contact Rosalie Fortin-Choquette at rfortinc@uoguelph.ca.
