1. Introduction/Purpose
Effects of Service Dog Usage on Two Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Mary Zalinger, SPT, Reinelda Diaz, SPT, Kristen Greif DPT, Michelle Kosner DPT,
Brenda Pratt, PT, DSc, Dawn Hall, PT, PhD
The Department of Physical Therapy and Health Sciences
Introduction/Purpose
Results
George and Walter discussed their lives before and after receiving the service dog. Two major themes emerged from the data: social participation and independence.
Several studies indicate that animals can act as the focal point of conversation and reduce the social awkwardness that many people exhibit in the presence of individuals with disabilities. 
Service dog usage is a new realm of research with limited and inconclusive evidence. Previous studies have focused on the adult population; this study will primarily focus on the social and psychological impact of service dogs with respect to an adolescent and young adult.
The purpose of this study is to discover the influence of a service dog on the overall quality of life and social well being of two individuals with significant lifelong physical disabilities.
George
Social: Initiating interactions with others growing up resembled those of typically developing peers [such as friendships, dating, leisure activities, and work].
“I don’t have a problem talking, so it [approaching people] wasn’t an issue, I mean everybody knew me, I knew everybody else…I could talk to anybody.”
Walter
Social: Walter describes himself as just a regular kid, a dog lover, tough, an analyzer, and observant. Before his service dog, Walter felt that his physical disability was a barrier to others getting to know him.
“They wouldn’t really know how to approach me because they didn’t know what I was like, but once I get to talking to people then they start to know that I’m just a regular kid.”
After receiving the dog as a young adult, initial interactions centered around the dog and he admitted that he preferred to be recognized first in the conversation as he had been before receiving the dog.
Walter feels the service dog facilitates interactions with others.
“I stand out a lot more with Jack (service dog) next to me … He definitely helps me with getting noticed and getting people to talk to me more. They notice the wheelchair and the vent (ventilator) less ….I like it, I like being noticed.”
“I think more of the friendships start, obviously, around the dog now.”
“Maybe a selfish thing...I mean I don’t know if selfish is the right word but obviously you want yourself to be noticed first.”
Methods
Participants
George, a male in his early 20s, was dependent in all activities of daily living and required an assistant around the clock. Mobility was possible with a power wheelchair. He was educated with peers at a four year university and received a bachelor’s degree. He has utilized the assistance of a service dog for at least 1 year.
Walter, a male in his mid-teens, was dependent in all activities of daily living, used a ventilator, and required an assistant around the clock. Mobility was possible with a power wheelchair. He was educated with peers at his neighborhood school. He had worked with his service dog for 13 months.
Independence: George required 24 hour care-givers at all times during all daily activities, which proved to be inconvenient in more intimate settings.
Independence: Walter requires assistance to do most physical tasks.
“if I drop my game controller…my brothers usually don’t like to get it for me…I would have to wait, beg my brothers or bribe them with something to get it.”
Even though Walter will continue to need assistance from people, his independence and privacy is enhanced by the dog providing physical assistance with tasks previously performed by people
“First dates are usually either to the movies or dinner, just the two of you, however with me, somebody else has to go along. So that’s hard to have a date when there’s actually a third person along.”
With the dog, George has increased confidence in his own safety and is now capable of being alone with the dog, without assistants.
“Depends on the venue, obviously restaurants as long as they are close, that I could get to them within one to two minutes…movies --whether I’m in front they can be in the back of the theatre.”
“I am my own person. I don’t have to wait on other people to help me out ‘cause Jack is always going to be there and everything is faster and easier with him around.”
Procedure
Initial and follow up interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide emphasizing the social and psychological influence of the service dog, were recorded face to face and over Skype. Data were transcribed and analyzed into codes; then examined to identify themes to explain behavior.
Conclusion
More freedom to be alone with the service dog resulted in greater physical independence for both participants. However, due to differing personalities the social influence of service dogs still remains unclear. With George, attention was taken away from the individual and directed more towards the dog whereas, Walter enjoyed the attention the dog brought to him.