Perceptions on Health Benefits of Guide Dog Ownership in an Austrian Population of Blind People with and without a Guide Dog

Abstract

Blindness has previously been associated with impaired quality of life (QOL). Guide dogs may not only support blind people in their independency, but also facilitate social relationships and overall health. This study sought to investigate whether blind people from Austria with a guide dog, when compared with blind people without a guide dog, differ in their QOL, annual medical costs, and attitudes towards the human–guide dog relationship. Participants (n = 36) filled out an online accessible questionnaire that consisted of the World Health Organization (WHO)QOL-BREF and additional self-designed questions. Guide dog ownership was not associated with a better QOL. However, yearly medical cost expenditures were descriptively lower in guide dog owners, who were also more likely to believe that guide dogs can increase their independency and exert positive effects on health. Moreover, guide dog owners more likely considered a guide dog as a family member than non-guide dog owners. Although within the framework of this study, owning a guide dog was not significantly associated with increased QOL, some differences between the groups regarding health beliefs, attitude towards the dog, and relationship with the dog were identified. Accounting for the emerging prevalence of visual impairment, further research into this topic is warranted.

A vakvezetőkutya és az eszközhasználat, mint a látássérült személyek önértékelését befolyásoló tényezők

“…Egy később megjelent tanulmány azonban cáfolja ezeket az állításokat. Eszerint a vakvezetőkutya jelenléte nem társult jobb életminőséggel (Glenk, Přibylová, Stetina, Demirel, & Weissenbacher, 2019). McIver, Hall és Mills (2020) tanulmánya szembe megy ezzel az állítással, eredményeik alapján a vakvezetőkutyát használó személyek az idő múlásával életminőségbeli javulást, növekedést mutatnak.…”

9 A working holiday: From home to destination with a guide dog

“…Thus, research has demonstrated a number of benefits to owning a guide dog in day-to-day life, such as increased mobility, independence, confidence and social interaction (Tomkins et al, 2011;Audrestch et al, 2015;Gravrok et al, 2018). Indeed, more recent research indicates a preference for the use of guide dogs as a mobility aid, as opposed to the white cane or more modern alternatives among vision impaired persons (Glenk et al, 2019). Yet, challenges remain for guide dog owners as they struggle to locate appropriate facilities for their dogs and the role of the guide dog is also typically misunderstood by the general public (Mesquita & Corneira, 2016).…”

“…The biggest challenge for PwVI, once at the destination, is wayfinding (Bosch & Gharaveis, 2017). Recent research suggests that guide dog owners prefer to work their guide dogs, even in unfamiliar places, as they are perceived to be faster and safer mobility aids, as opposed to the white cane or technological alternatives (Glenk et al, 2019). Additionally, the very presence of their guide dog adds comfort, companionship, confidence and a sense of independence.…”

“…It has been well established that guide dogs improve their owner's mobility within their local communities while also contributing to higher quality of life through greater independence, confidence and social interactions (Lloyd et al, 2008;Tomkins et al, 2011;Audrestch et al, 2015;Gravrok et al, 2018). Moreover, research indicates a preference for guide dogs as a mobility aid, as opposed to a white cane or other alternatives (Glenk et al, 2019). Importantly, guide dogs are most effective when working in familiar environments wherein they are familiar with specific routes and can better respond to potential hazards.…”

Influence of Two Types of Guide Harnesses on Ground Reaction Forces and Step Length of Guide Dogs for the Blind

“…Although there are already numerous technical aids, guide dog handlers prefer their dogs to these aids [ 2 ]. Many guide dogs are also considered part of the family [ 3 ]. For the aforementioned reasons, and also due to the expensive and time-consuming training of a guide dog, it is important that a guide dog can complete a long and, above all, healthy service.…”