Mobility and medical service dogs: a qualitative analysis of expectations and experiences.
Purpose: To qualitatively describe and compare the expectations and experiences of living with a mobility or medical service dog among those with a physical disability or chronic condition. Materials and methods: A total of 64 participants living with a service dog and 27 on the waitlist to receive...
| Published in: | Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 499 - 510 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
Jul2020
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=144473189&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 144473189 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 17483107 1X04 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology issn: 17483107 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Jul2020 vid: 15 iid: 5 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 144473189 144473189 144473189 10.1080/17483107.2019.1587015 144473189 ppf: 499 ppct: 11 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Mobility and medical service dogs: a qualitative analysis of expectations and experiences. aug: au: Rodriguez, Kerri E. Bibbo, Jessica Verdon, Savannah O'Haire, Marguerite E. affil: College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for the Human-Animal Bond, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA sug: subj: Physical Mobility Service Animals Persons with Disabilities Psychosocial Factors Support, Psychosocial Life Experiences Quality of Life Human Dogs Qualitative Studies Funding Source Cross Sectional Studies Surveys Content Analysis Human-Pet Bonding Chronic Disease Adaptation, Psychological Behavior, Animal Waiting Lists Data Analysis Software Adult Male Female Emotions Life Style Changes Adult: 19-44 years Male Female ab: Purpose: To qualitatively describe and compare the expectations and experiences of living with a mobility or medical service dog among those with a physical disability or chronic condition. Materials and methods: A total of 64 participants living with a service dog and 27 on the waitlist to receive a service dog participated in a cross-sectional open-ended survey. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes. Results: A total of 101 codes were summarized into themes of Physical Benefits, Psychosocial Benefits, and Drawbacks to having a service dog. Psychosocial benefits included the human–animal relationship as well as emotional, quality of life, and social benefits. Drawbacks included service dog care, public access and education, lifestyle adjustments, and dog behaviour. While participants on the waitlist were more likely to anticipate physical benefits of having a service dog, those with a service dog largely described psychosocial benefits. Findings also suggest that some drawbacks, such as public discrimination, may be unanticipated by the waitlist. Conclusions: A comparison of expectations and experiences of service dog ownership highlights both the positive and negative aspects of the service dog–owner relationship and identifies potential aspects of having a service dog that may be unanticipated or overestimated by those on the waitlist. When asked about helpful and important aspects of having a service dog, 98% of service dog owners described the psychosocial benefits of their dog's assistance and companionship. The human–animal relationship was the most discussed psychosocial benefit from both current owners as well as those on the waitlist, demonstrating the unique strength of the service dog–owner bond in this population. Those on the waitlist to receive a service dog did not anticipate as many drawbacks as current owners described. In particular, difficulties with public access and education as well as dog behaviour were commonly experienced, but not expected, drawbacks to service dog ownership. Findings identify aspects of having a service dog that may be unanticipated or overestimated by those on the waitlist, providing rehabilitation professionals with a basis for preparing those who may be considering incorporating a service dog into their lives. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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