Beyond the Benefits of Assistance Dogs: Exploring Challenges Experienced by First-Time Handlers.

Jennifer Gravrok,Pauleen Bennett,Dan Bendrups,Tiffani Howell

doi:10.3390/ani9050203

Jennifer Gravrok, Pauleen Bennett + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9050203

Copy DOI

Abstract

Simple SummaryPeople with disabilities employ many forms of assistive technology, including assistance dogs (AD), to assist them with managing their disability. Most previous research has focused on the benefits of ADs for their handlers with disability; little is known about the challenges they face. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of first-time handlers when working with an AD. It was found that handlers experienced many benefits from their dog, as would be expected. However, they also reported experiencing many challenges which hindered or delayed these benefits. These challenges arose from the handler’s medical conditions, cognitive ability and social environment, as well as from dog-related factors. They are important for potential handlers and AD organizations to consider prior to placing an AD, since this will assist individuals and organizations to better determine if an AD is the right form of assistive technology for a particular individual, and, if so, how best to prepare to integrate the dog into the person’s life.The purpose of this study was to explore first time handlers’ experiences when working with an assistance dog (AD). Interviewees included seven first time AD handlers and 14 other individuals close to these handlers, including family members, carers and AD instructors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted six months and one year after each handler received their AD. Interview questions were informed by the Thriving Through Relationships theory of social support and previous interviews with the participants. Inductive content analysis corroborated previous findings regarding the benefits that ADs provide. In addition, four factors were revealed to substantially influence the challenges handlers experienced when learning to utilize their dog. These included the handlers’ medical conditions, cognitive ability and social environment, and dog-related factors. Organizations would benefit from considering these factors in their operational processes.

Highlights

People with disabilities, especially chronic disabilities, often face high levels of adversity and have pervasive support needs that encompass many life domains [1]
The analysis revealed that most of the information collected from the interviews confirmed already established benefits that assistance dog (AD) provide [12]
Inductive content analysis revealed that four main factors contribute to the challenges experienced when working with an AD

Summary

Introduction

Especially chronic disabilities, often face high levels of adversity and have pervasive support needs that encompass many life domains [1]. An assistance dog (AD) is one form of assistive technology, with these dogs being trained to provide disability-specific support to one person (the handler) who has a disability or disabilities [4,5]. Functions these dogs are trained to perform typically include physical tasks, which provide performance. ADs are reported to provide dynamic emotional, social and psychological benefits [7], which increase the handler’s wellbeing [8] or quality of life [9]. Handlers experience less negative stigma than is commonly associated with other forms of support [10]

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion