The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions

Rodriguez, Kerri E.; Bibbo, Jessica; O’Haire, Marguerite E.

doi:10.1080/09638288.2018.1524520

Cited by 31 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…High pet attachment in pet owners has been reported [15,55,56,96]. Our study showed lower scores in horseback riders in the "love" factor and "regulation of emotions" factor compared to dog owners.…”

Section: Pet Attachmentsupporting

confidence: 53%

Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing

Schwarzmüller-Erber

Stummer

Maier

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Connectedness to nature and nature contact can provide many benefits to humans, like stress reduction, recovery from illness, and increased positive emotions. Likewise, recreational horseback riding is a widespread sports activity with the potential to enhance physical and psychological health. Yet, the influence of connectedness to nature on the wellbeing of older aged recreational horseback riders has not been investigated so far. The aim of the present study therefore was to explore the relationship between nature relatedness and physical, psychological and social wellbeing and happiness. The study sample was composed of Austrian recreational horseback riders aged 45 years and older, who were compared with dog owners and people without pets (n = 178). We found significantly higher nature relatedness, significantly higher overall wellbeing and a significantly better mood rating in recreational horseback riders compared to people without pets and similar scores compared to dog owners. Physical wellbeing is correlated with overall nature relatedness in horseback riders and dog owners, but no correlation was found in people without pets. A structural equation model shows a direct relationship between nature relatedness and mood in horseback riders and an indirect relationship through pet attachment in dog owners. The results suggest the activity with horses and dogs in nature environments is a source of wellbeing, enjoyment, self-confidence and social contacts.

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Section: Pet Attachmentsupporting

confidence: 53%

Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing

Schwarzmüller-Erber

Stummer

Maier

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…These latter findings are quite different from those in the service dog recipient literature. The results of the larger study comparing service dog recipients with those on the waitlist found that living with a service dog was associated with better functioning in the domain of work and school, along with overall psychosocial health, including the domains of social and emotional functioning (Rodriguez et al, 2019). The most recent systematic review of that literature reported positive associations between service dogs and greater community involvement and integration (Winkle et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participating future or current service dog recipients (n = 174) were asked whether a family member or another person in their home would also like to be included in the study. In some cases, family members provided a proxy report for service dog recipients who were unable to provide a self-report (for a full description of the proxy report process; see Rodriguez et al, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Service Dogs on Family Members’ Psychosocial Functioning

Bibbo

Rodriguez

O’Haire³

2019

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Importance: A growing body of evidence supports service dogs’ positive psychosocial impact on people with a chronic condition, but very little is known about the effect of service dogs on the family members with whom they live. Objective: To measure the impact that a service dog may have on family member functioning. Design: Cross-sectional with a single time-point assessment. Setting: Data were collected via a self-report survey completed online, over the phone, or by mail. Participants: Potential participants were recruited from national service dog provider Canine Assistants. Participants were caregivers or spouses of a person with a disability or illness who either currently had a service dog (n = 51) or was on the waitlist to receive one (n = 77). Participants were 50 family members (46 parents–caregivers and 4 spouses–partners) living with a service dog and 76 family members (68 parents–caregivers and 8 spouses–partners) whose family member was on the waitlist to receive one. Outcomes and Measures: Participants completed standardized measures to quantify psychosocial health and functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and family functioning. Results: Living with a service dog was most closely associated with less health-related worry and better overall psychosocial health and emotional functioning, less total family impact from the chronic condition, and better emotional HRQOL. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings provide preliminary evidence that, in addition to having an impact on recipients, service dogs can affect several aspects of family members’ psychosocial health and functioning. What This Article Adds: This research demonstrates that the impact of a service dog may extend beyond the recipient and have positive impacts on family members’ psychosocial functioning as well. Occupational therapy practitioners should include family members in discussions regarding the integration of a service dog into the home and recognize the potential for family-wide effects from the service dog’s assistance.

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“…While the study suggests seizure dogs may reduce seizure frequency, no prospective studies substantiating this expectation have been published. Yet, recent reviews acknowledge the need for further evidence to support the effectiveness of seizure dogs (37,38).…”

Section: Seizure Dogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the seizure dog might prove beneficial to PWE beyond their health. To capture the broader individual and societal benefits of seizure dogs, data will be collected on well-being, productivity, resource use, and social participation (38). Finally, as the seizure dog may have an impact on the burden of providing informal care to PWE, the PWE's primary caregiver will be invited to fill in questionnaires as well.…”

Section: Secondary Outcome Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Seizure Dogs in Persons With Medically Refractory Epilepsy in the Netherlands: Study Protocol for a Stepped Wedge Randomized Controlled Trial (EPISODE)

et al. 2020

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Background: Epilepsy is associated with a high disease burden, impacting the lives of people with epilepsy and their caregivers and family. Persons with medically refractory epilepsy experience the greatest burden, suffering from profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. Anecdotal evidence suggests these persons may benefit from a seizure dog. As the training of a seizure dog is a substantial investment, their accessibility is limited in the absence of collective reimbursement as is seen in the Netherlands. Despite sustained interest in seizure dogs, scientific knowledge on their benefits and costs remains scarce. To substantiate reimbursement decisions stronger evidence is required. The EPISODE study aims to provide this evidence by evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of seizure dogs in adults with medically refractory epilepsy. Methods: The study is designed as a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial that compares the use of seizure dogs in addition to usual care, with usual care alone. The study includes adults with epilepsy for whom current treatment options failed to achieve seizure freedom. Seizure frequency of participants should be at least two seizures per week, and the seizures should be associated with a high risk of injury or dysfunction. During the 3 year follow-up period, participants receive a seizure dog in a randomized order. Outcome measures are taken at multiple time points both before and after receiving the seizure dog. Seizure frequency is the primary outcome of the study and will be Discussion: This protocol describes the first randomized controlled trial on seizure dogs. The study will provide comprehensive data on the effectiveness and costeffectiveness of seizure dogs in adults with medically refractory epilepsy. Broader benefits of seizure dogs for persons with epilepsy and their caregivers are taken into account, as well as the welfare of the dogs. The findings of the study can be used to inform decision-makers on the reimbursement of seizure dogs.

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The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions

Cited by 31 publications

References 48 publications

Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing

Nature Relatedness of Recreational Horseback Riders and Its Association with Mood and Wellbeing

Impact of Service Dogs on Family Members’ Psychosocial Functioning

Evaluating the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Seizure Dogs in Persons With Medically Refractory Epilepsy in the Netherlands: Study Protocol for a Stepped Wedge Randomized Controlled Trial (EPISODE)

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