Dogs for the disabled: benefits to recipients and welfare of the dog

Dogs for the Disabled is an organisation recently established in the UK to provide trained assistance dogs to enhance the mobility and independence of people with physical disabilities. Fifty-seven recipients of a Dog for the Disabled (90% of all recipients) took part in a questionnaire survey to as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied animal behaviour science 1998-08, Vol.59 (1), p.49-60
Main Authors: Lane, D.R, McNicholas, J, Collis, G.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assistance dogs
correlation
dogs
Health
people with disabilities
Pet ownership
physical activity
questionnaires
working animals
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Summary:Dogs for the Disabled is an organisation recently established in the UK to provide trained assistance dogs to enhance the mobility and independence of people with physical disabilities. Fifty-seven recipients of a Dog for the Disabled (90% of all recipients) took part in a questionnaire survey to assess satisfaction with their dog, commitment to the dog's welfare, and other changes in their life brought about by obtaining their dog. Subjects reported an increased sense of social integration, enhancement to self-perceived health, and an affectionate, often supportive, relationship with their dog. Levels of satisfaction with the dog's work and the quality of the recipient–dog relationship were greater in subjects for whom the idea to have a dog was their own than in subjects who were influenced by other people to acquire a dog. These differences were small but statistically significant and may be a useful predictor in future applicants of the success of the working relationship.
ISSN:0168-1591
1872-9045
DOI:10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00120-8