The experience of acquiring an assistance dog: examination of the transition process for first-time handlers.
As the popularity of using dogs to assist individuals with disability grows, there is a need for increased understanding of assistance dog handlers' experiences of living and working with their dog. This is particularly pertinent to first-time handlers and during the initial placement period, where...
| Published in: | Disability & Rehabilitation Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 49 - 60 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Jan2021
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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=147858129&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 147858129 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 09638288 B73 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation issn: 09638288 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Jan2021 vid: 43 iid: 1 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 147858129 147858129 147858129 10.1080/09638288.2019.1615561 147858129 ppf: 49 ppct: 11 formats: tig: atl: The experience of acquiring an assistance dog: examination of the transition process for first-time handlers. aug: au: Gravrok, Jennifer Bendrups, Dan Howell, Tiffani Bennett, Pauleen affil: Psychology and Public Health, LaTrobe University, Flora Hill, Australia sug: subj: Service Animals Dogs Persons with Disabilities Transitional Care Life Experiences Human Quality of Life Semi-Structured Interview Patient Attitudes Parental Attitudes Australia Models, Theoretical Content Analysis Human-Pet Bonding Interpersonal Relations Adaptation, Psychological Behavior, Animal Child Adolescence Adult Thematic Analysis Parental Role Schools Day Care Community Programs Motivation Behavioral Changes Child: 6-12 years Adolescent: 13-18 years Adult: 19-44 years ab: As the popularity of using dogs to assist individuals with disability grows, there is a need for increased understanding of assistance dog handlers' experiences of living and working with their dog. This is particularly pertinent to first-time handlers and during the initial placement period, where the handler and assistance dog, and the relationship forming between them, may be extremely vulnerable. The aim of this study was to better understand first-time assistance dog handlers' experience of the placement period, especially any challenges that they experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two youth and five adult handlers, and one parent of a young handler, recruited from three Australian assistance dog organizations. Interviews were conducted 1 month following the initial acquisition of an assistance dog. Meleis' transitions theory was used to develop a better understanding of the transition process for first-time handlers. Inductive content analysis identified various challenges that first-time handlers experience throughout the transition period. These included: the initial response to living with the assistance dog; renegotiating relationships and social interactions; and, adjusting expectations regarding the assistance dog's behavior and capabilities. First-time handler experiences indicate a need for assistance dog organizations to develop initiatives to further assist their handlers through a smooth transition into assistance dog ownership. Integrating an assistance dog into a first-time handler's life is a long process full of challenges. Provider organizations and other support members markedly impact the ease of transitioning an assistance dog into a handler's life. Organizations should be aware of the role they have and employ strategies to create as smooth a transition as possible. Support from other support members is crucial to ease the challenges experienced. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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