Although the aim of assistive technology is to enable independence and enhance participation, it can have unintended consequences. Camp (2001) found users of assistive technology perceived that assistive technology fostered an attitude of dependence. Service dogs offer functional independence to those with a disability limiting their mobility.
A qualitative study by Camp (2001) conducted interviews with service dog owners to better understand how service dog ownership impacted their lives. Important to note is that the author utilized methods of evaluation designed for service animal ownership. The author found common themes shared by service dog owners, which included increased participation and a sense of independence, and a sense of security (Camp, 2001). Overall, each participant reported that service dog ownership enhanced their self-efficacy and thus lowered their reliance on other forms of assistive technology.
A randomized controlled trial by Crowe et al. (2014) compared the time and perceived effort to complete a functional task of picking household objects up off the floor independently and with the assistance of their service dog. Researchers met with participants on 12 occasions over a 6-week span and randomly assigned them to control (no …show more content…
All participants possessed a mobility impairment and relied on assistive technology for ambulation. Unique to this study was that it compared the self-reported responses between experimental and wait-list control groups over a 2-year span. The authors found a significant (p<.001) improvement in psychosocial variables and internal locus of control once participants received a service dog (Allen and Blascovich, 1996). The evidence presented in this study adds credence to the idea that service dogs enhance functional independence for people with
A qualitative study by Camp (2001) conducted interviews with service dog owners to better understand how service dog ownership impacted their lives. Important to note is that the author utilized methods of evaluation designed for service animal ownership. The author found common themes shared by service dog owners, which included increased participation and a sense of independence, and a sense of security (Camp, 2001). Overall, each participant reported that service dog ownership enhanced their self-efficacy and thus lowered their reliance on other forms of assistive technology.
A randomized controlled trial by Crowe et al. (2014) compared the time and perceived effort to complete a functional task of picking household objects up off the floor independently and with the assistance of their service dog. Researchers met with participants on 12 occasions over a 6-week span and randomly assigned them to control (no …show more content…
All participants possessed a mobility impairment and relied on assistive technology for ambulation. Unique to this study was that it compared the self-reported responses between experimental and wait-list control groups over a 2-year span. The authors found a significant (p<.001) improvement in psychosocial variables and internal locus of control once participants received a service dog (Allen and Blascovich, 1996). The evidence presented in this study adds credence to the idea that service dogs enhance functional independence for people with