Service dogs are becoming an integral part of our society. Consequently, there is a need for research that explores how Canada should proceed with the development and implementation of appropriate laws and policies that will ensure the proper use and equal integration of service dogs. Before this can take place, the terminology used within the field must be clarified, as society continues to move toward a more expanded definition of service dog, and public access challenges continue to impact the lives of persons with disabilities. The goal of this autoethnographical research study was to determine what service dog handlers, particularly ‘owner-trainers,’ feel constitutes a ‘service dog’ in Canada. When researchers conduct investigations on topics related to the lives of persons with disabilities, their research typically takes the form of disabled individuals being studied and not being directly involved within the research. Therefore, this project sought to directly involve persons with disabilities, while also attempting to avoid the possibility of censorship or silence. Through the use of statements from social media, this project captured the lived experiences without worrying about participants changing them to fit within society’s expectations. Society is not structured to be accessible for all, so when ‘accommodations’ are made, it is ‘expected’ that persons with disabilities will show gratitude and not voice their true feelings. Through the use of autoethnography, I shared my experiences, as a service dog raiser, trainer and handler, and provided a glimpse into the lives of other service dog handlers as they participate within their communities. In doing this, I hope the findings of my project will offer an important perspective to the discussion surrounding what constitutes a ‘service dog’ in Canada. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

At least one-quarter of service members who have returned from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis, of which Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common. Social support provided by close relationships has been shown to be a buffer against PTSD symptoms. However, PTSD can also have devastating effects on couple relationships, hampering this form of social support. One promising intervention for PTSD has been the use of service dogs specially trained to perform tasks related to PTSD symptoms. Anecdotally, there are promising individual outcomes for veterans with PTSD who are partnered with service dogs; however, the effects of these service dogs on the couple relationship for veterans who are married or in long-term relationships has yet to be explored. Seven couples participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews related to their experiences of their relationship before, during, and after acquiring a service dog trained to respond to PTSD symptoms. Responses were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes derived were loss of self, living with the enemy, to hope or not to hope, running the gauntlet, pawsitive reinforcements, and turning the tide. Results are weighed against existing literature in the field, clinical and public policy considerations are offered, and directions for future research are proposed. / Master of Science

Combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms often require the use of complementary therapeutic aids, such as service dogs, to assist them in their recovery in addition to traditional evidence-based therapy. Anecdotal literature was available on the use of service dogs, but quantitative research has not been conducted to answer the question of what the impact was of the use of service dogs on reducing symptoms of PTSD among combat and non-combat veterans. Attachment theory was one of the most common theoretical frameworks for exploring the use of service dogs for treating combat PTSD. The theoretical framework for this study was derived from Bowlby's theory on attachment and the work done with Ainsworth to review the possible correlations between secure and insecure attachment styles and the impact of using service dogs. Three surveys were selected to measure PTSD related symptoms, service dog tasks, and attachment styles of the 64 participants to be able to look at PTSD-related symptoms and attachment theory in relation to service dog tasks. This study did not show a difference between combat veterans and non-combat veterans who use service dogs in the reduction of PTSD-related symptoms, but the study did show that there was a positive relationship between PTSD-related symptoms and the use of service dogs. Participants' answers supported anecdotal reports of the positive effect of the use of service dogs. The results of the current research provide implications for positive social change by providing important information in relation to service dogs could improve the quality of life and more manageable psychological symptoms, and that attachment styles should be considered as a mitigating factor which was missing in previous research.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The focus of this qualitative descriptive study is the experience of physically disabled young people as they transition into adulthood while living with a service dog. The cornerstone of young adulthood is transition. For any young adult leaving home, the transition involves inter- and intra-personal changes that affect future well-being. Unfortunately, the majority of young adults with congenital disabilities are less likely to be fully employed and to live independently than their non-disabled peers. To date, very little research about living with a disability exists from the point of view of young adults. Even fewer qualitative research studies exist that focus on service dog teams. This research report will add to the body of nursing knowledge about people with disabilities and their experience of transition in the areas of health, work/school, relationships and identity. The findings result from descriptive analysis of interviews with four young adults and one parent. Using qualitative descriptive methods, the researcher identified three themes that defined the experience of transition. It’s different now contained stories regarding life before and after obtaining the service dog. This theme included elements of personality development similar to any young adult in transition, such as identifying “who I am now.” Going places was the most personal theme, describing the social implications of going or not going places and the environmental and personal barriers related to learning to drive. Calling the shots centered on the ability to make choices for themselves and the dog, as well as to participate in age appropriate milestones, such as attending college and living away from home. The findings of this study will be useful to professionals who place service dogs with persons with disabilities, rehabilitation specialists who desire appropriate interventions to facilitate transitions, and nurse researchers and clinicians who desire to understand the bond between animals and human beings.

Bakgrund: I Sverige har cirka 95000 människor någon form av autismspektrumtillstånd. Autismspektrumtillstånd är en kognitiv funktionsnedsättning där problem som kommunikation, sociala samspel och föreställningsförmåga kan uppstå. Djur i vården påverkar positivt på människans hälsa. Djurunderstödda interventioner är aktiviteter eller terapiformer som sjuksköterskan kan använda vid omvårdnad av barn med autismspektrumtillstånd. Syfte: Att beskriva hur sällskapsdjur påverkar samt upplevs påverka barn med autismspektrumtillstånd. Dessutom var syftet att beskriva hur barnets familj upplever påverkan av sällskapsdjur. Vidare var syftet att beskriva de inkluderade artiklarnas datainsamlingsmetod. Metod: Beskrivande litteraturstudie. Tio vetenskapliga artiklar varav två med kvalitativ ansats och åtta med kvantitativ ansats. Huvudresultat: Sammanställning av artiklarna resulterade i fyra teman: social funktion, inlärning och kommunikation, psykisk hälsa samt fysisk hälsa. Förbättringar kunde ses vid djurunderstödda interventioner som hästterapi eller kontakt med hund. Hundar upplevdes kunna fungera som en distraktion samt inge lugn till barnen, liksom upplevdes öka trygghet för familjen. Autistiska symtom minskade signifikant, liksom antalet vredesutbrott, ilska och ångest upplevdes minska. Uppmärksamhet, social funktion, motorik, samt social och fysisk motivation förbättrades. Ridterapi ökade även den sociala interaktionen mellan förälder och barn. Enkäter och beteendeskalor var de mest framträdande datainsamlingsmetoderna i artiklarna. Slutsats: Djurunderstödda interventioner har visat ge positiv påverkan hos barn med autismspektrumtillstånd, liksom hjälpt familjen till en mer hållbar vardag. Antalet vetenskapliga studier är begränsat, varav ytterligare forskning krävs för en god evidens inom området. / Background: In Sweden there are around 95,000 people who have some form of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Autism Spectrum Disorder itself, is a cognitive disability where problems can occur in such areas as communication, social interactions and detached imaginations. Animal assisted therapy has shown positive effects in human health care. Animal assisted treatments, in the form of an activity or therapy is a way for nurses to treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Aim: First to describe both the perceived and measured affects of animal assisted therapy on children with Austism Spectrum Disorder. Secondly, to describe how the childrens' families perceive the affects of animal assisted therapy. The aim was also to describe the method used to gather data for the article. Methods: A literature study was conducted using ten scientific articles, of which two were qualitative and eight were quantitative. Results: A summary of the articles resulted in four themes; social functions, learning and communication, physical health and psychological health. Improvements could be seen when in contact with horses or dogs. The family perceived the dog as both a distraction and a calming effect on the child, as well as giving the family a sense of security. Autistic symptoms were significantly reduced, as well as a perceived reduction of anger, frequency of tantrums and anxiety. Awareness, social functioning, motor skills, and physical motivation were improved. The social connection between child and parents improved with equine assisted therapy. Questionnaires and behavior measures were the most prominent methods used to gather data. Conclusions: Animal assisted therapy has proven beneficial amongst children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and also contributed to parents having a more sustainable living situation. The amount of scientific studies are limited within this field. More research is necessary in order to show convincing evidence.

Civil protection is getting one of the most important activities governments of all civilized states in the world deal with. Substantial funds are spent on setting up of armed forces, security organizations, groups of specialists and employees and on reinforcing of army forces that can participate in civil protection during state of emergency or in critical civil situations. For realization of these attacks a lot of money is needed. To get the money other crimes are committed, namely production and trade with narcotics and psychotropic substances or illegal weapon trade. The bodies participating in civil protection of each single state have to be able and ready to search for implements that directly or indirectly endanger not only the safety of inhabitants, but also the safety of important buildings and the premises of critical infrastructure. It concerns searching for explosives, firearms, narcotics and psychotropic substances, burning accelerants or e.g. banknotes. For these activities most police forces and bodies of civil protection use dogs because of their character and abilities. This companion closest to a man is able to find and mark all named commodities after having finished its proper training. The aim of this thesis is to specify the importance of special kynology for civil protection, focused on locating of explosives using specially trained dogs. Qualitative survey is the base of this dissertation. Respondents are experts with long-time experience in special kynology and explosives. Methods used within the research are following: secondary data analysis, half structured interview and photo documentation. SWOT analysis has been made that describes the condition of special kynology in the Czech Republic. The Police of the Czech Republic, as one of three basic bodies of Integrated Rescue System, have to fulfil many tasks defined by law. One of the most important tasks is life and health protection of all persons that are in the certain moment in our state territory. For attacks against these values explosives are used nowadays. If they are misused and installed in explosive systems, the members of the Police of the Czech Republic are the ones who enter the area of explosive placement or the possible placement of such object. Besides, they carry out safety and preventive explosives search. Some of these members are canine officers. Their task is to train the dogs in a special way so that these are able to locate explosives. They take part in every search for explosives which is led by the police. Thanks to their placement they are able to begin with investigation within a few minutes or tens of minutes almost anywhere in the area of the Czech Republic. Nowadays there is no other body of armed force that would be able to provide this kind of service. That is why it is necessary to solve such problems that endanger this activity, such as lack of finance or little cooperation among individual units. Despite these problems we have to highlight the professionalism of canine officers, their experience and work enthusiasm as well as a very high level of training centres. If trained and used in the right way, the dogs are irreplaceable in the search for explosives not only nowadays but also in the future. Without their help the search cannot be effective. The dissertation presents a complete overview and description of the use of special kynology concerning search for explosives in relation to civil protection. In practice it will improve the public awareness and it will be used as complete information material for experts.

Bakgrund: Den psykiska ohälsan bland barn och unga i skolan ses enligt forskningen öka. Skolsköterskan har i sin hälsofrämjande roll ansvar för att följa upp elevernas hälsa och genom aktiva insatser förebygga och stödja eleven utifrån en samlad helhetsbild. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa variationen i skolsköterskornas upplevelse om möjligheten att använda social tjänstehund inom hälsofrämjande arbete med elever. Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie med semistrukturerad intervjuguide. Analysmetoden baserades på en fenomenografisk design. Resultat: Resultat i föreliggande studie visar att flertalet skolsköterskor saknar verktyg som ger möjlighet att nå ut till de elever som inte själva aktivt söker kontakt. Resultatet pekade även på att fler områden inom elevhälsans stödjande insatser saknar resurser nog trots att problemområdena är väl identifierade. Slutsats: Den sociala tjänstehunden ses som ett starkt alternativ till hälsofrämjande redskap inom skolsköterskans roll. Fynden i studien förmedlar att hunden kan bidra till en ökad mottaglighet hos eleverna som direkt relaterar till skolsköterskans inflytande i det hälsofrämjande arbetet. / Background: According to research, the mental illness among children and adolescents in school is seen to increase. The school nurse has in her healthpromoting role the responsibility to follow up the students' health and through active efforts, prevent and support the pupil based on a combined overall picture. Aim: The purpose was to highlight the variation in the school nurses' experience about the possibility of using a social service dog in the preventive health work with students. Method: A qualitative descriptive study with a semi-structured interview guide. The method of analysis was based on a phenomenographic design. Result: Results in the present study, show that most school nurses have a lack of tools that give the opportunity to reach out to those pupils who don´t ask for help when they need it. The result also pointed out that more areas within the school health support, have a lack of resources even though areas with the problem are well identified. Conclusion: The social service dog is seen as a strong alternative to healthpromoting tools combined with the role of the school nurse. The findings in the study convey that the dog can contribute to an increased susceptibility among the students who directly relate to the school nurse's influence in the health promotion work.

Examinationsarbetet syftade till att, utifrån utbildade sociala tjänstehundförares perspektiv, utforska hur utbildade sociala tjänstehundar används i olika områden av socialt arbete. Vidare syftade undersökningen till att undersöka vilka för- och nackdelar utbildade tjänstehundförare upplever med hundassisterat socialt arbete. I undersökningen genomfördes elva kvalitativa intervjuer med elva sociala tjänstehundsförare vilka är aktiva inom olika typer av socialt arbete i Sverige. I analysen användes det sociala stödet som teoretisk utgångspunkt. I likhet med tidigare forskning indikerade resultatet att sociala tjänstehundar har ett brett och mångfacetterat användningsområde i socialt arbete. Hunden kan användas och på flera sätt verka instrumentellt, emotionellt och relationellt stödjande inom olika verksamheter. Hundar kan exempelvis användas i både målinriktade insatser i olika typer av stöd, behandling och utredningssammanhang samt i insatser där fokus ligger vid motivation och samvaro. Vidare upplevde sociala tjänstehundförare att hunden på flera sätt har en positiv påverkan på klienter i det sociala arbetet samt att hunden underlättar för hundförare i deras arbete då hunden exempelvis bidrar i uppbyggnaden av en arbetsallians och underlättar i samtal. Hundförarna upplevde att den tidkrävande aspekt som det hundassisterade sociala arbetet medför kan vara negativ. Vidare upplevde hundförarna de utmaningar som verksamhetsledningar, kollegor och samhällsopinionens inställningar till hundassisterat arbete, allergier och hundrädsla medför som en negativ aspekt med arbetet. / The purpose of this essay was to explore how formally trained social service dogs can be used as a resource in various areas of social work, based upon the perspectives of formally trained social service dog handlers. Secondly, to also examine the benefits and disadvantages social service dog handlers experience with dog assisted social work. The essay consists of eleven individual qualitative interviews with formally trained social service dog handlers, whom represent various fields within social work in Sweden. The social support theory was used in the analysis as the theoretical framework. In accordance with previous scientific research, the results of the study indicate that social service dogs have a wide variety of uses within the field of social work. They can provide clients with various types of emotional, instrumental and relational support within several different fields of social work. Social service dogs can be used in goal-oriented interventions for treatment, supportive and investigative purposes, as well as interventions with the purpose to motivate and promote social interaction. The handlers considered their dogs to have a variety of positive impacts on the clients and regarded that they could assist and facilitate the handlers in their work. For example, the dogs could facilitate the establishment of a work alliance and act supportive during difficult conversations. The handlers considered the time-consuming aspect of dog assisted social work as a disadvantage. However, they perceived challenges such as the attitude from management, colleagues and public opinion regarding allergies and fear of dogs as a negative aspect. / <p></p><p></p>

<p> There has been substantial growth in recent decades in the variety and popularity of roles for dogs assisting humans in professional therapeutic partnerships. Simultaneously, increasingly rigorous research has repeatedly demonstrated the effects of professional human-canine partnerships in remedying important issues of public health among several at-risk populations. Yet, despite these areas of growth, mechanisms of action and predictors of efficacy in the field of human-animal interaction (HAI) remain poorly understood, and the role of human diversity has been rarely discussed. Thus, the present dissertation examines potential mechanisms and diverse predictors in two distinct samples of professional human-canine partnerships, while building the impetus to explore diversity in the HAI field as a whole. For the first three studies (Chapters 2-4), the selected samples of professional human-canine partnerships include military veterans working with psychiatric service dogs to mediate their symptoms of PTSD and healthcare professionals in pediatric hospitals working with facility dogs to benefit their patients. Following the introduction in Chapter 1, the objective of Chapters 2-3 was to examine primary human outcomes in the selected professional canine partnerships. In a crosssectional study of N=198 military veterans with PTSD, Chapter 2 compared PTSD symptom severity between n=112 veterans with service dogs and n=86 veterans on the waitlist to receive service dogs in the future. Next, in a cross-sectional study of N=130 healthcare professionals in pediatric hospitals, Chapter 3 compared job-related well-being and mental health of n=65 professionals working with facility dogs to n=65 working without. Findings suggested benefits to the mental health and well-being of both military veterans with PTSD and pediatric healthcare professionals, which were significantly associated with their professional canine partnerships. Subsequently, the objective of Chapter 4 was to explore how variances within a specific professional canine partnership may suggest predictors and potential mechanisms for the observed human outcomes. Thus, in a longitudinal study of N=82 veterans with PTSD and their service dogs, Chapter 4 explored associations of veterans’ outcomes with veteran-service dog demographics and interactions. Results suggested components of the human-canine partnership which might explain observed human outcomes, including social connections, a calming influence, and strong humananimal bonds. </p>

<p>The attached document contains the dissertation of Clare Jensen, including descriptions of all procedures used in the associated research studies.</p>