Efficacy of Service Dogs as a Viable Form of Assistive Technology

Principal Investigator: Shirley Fitzgerald

Co-Investigator(s): Diane Collins, OTR/L, MS; Rosemarie Cooper, MPT; Annmarie Kelleher, OTR/L; Stephanie G. Martin, BS; Amanda Reinsfelder, BS; Sherri McGraw, MA; Robert Milan, BA, AAS

Funding Source: VA RR&D

Objectives

The long-term goals of this study are:

1)  to understand the long-term benefits service dogs may provide to Veterans

2)  to aid in the implementation of HR 2792 for obtaining service dogs for eligible Veterans

The short-term goals of this research are:

1)  to examine changes in functional independence and community participation

                 for individuals who are partnered with Service Dogs,

2)  to compare findings from item 1) to individuals who are not partnered with

                 Service Dogs 

            3)  to determine the influence of the human-animal bond on study outcomes

Research Design

This is an 18-month longitudinal study with three comparison groups that collects data on individuals newly partnered with Service Dogs.

Methodology

The comparison groups will consist of a group of individuals awaiting Service Dogs, a group of individuals who use wheelchairs and have dogs, cats, or both as pets, and a group of individuals who use wheelchairs and do not have dogs or cats as pets. Subjects will be recruited nationally and asked to complete questionnaires at baseline, three, nine, twelve and eighteen months.

Clinical Significance

Of 6.8 million Americans, an estimated 1.7 million use wheelchairs. 16,000 individuals currently use service dogs for mobility related impairments.  The cost these highly skilled dogs, who typically work for eight years, is estimated to range from $8,500 to $15,000. Section 2 of Bill H.R. 2792, a recently approved mandate yet to be implemented, allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse costs of Service Dogs and associated training for qualified veterans.