Bibbo, Rodriguez, and O’Haire (2019) examined how the presence of a service dog impacts the family dynamics of people living with chronic conditions. While previous studies emphasized direct benefits for recipients, this research highlighted the wider family-level effects.
Key Findings:
- Improved family well-being: Families living with a service dog reported less health-related worry and greater emotional stability.
- Better psychosocial health: Caregivers and spouses showed improved emotional functioning and overall psychosocial health compared to those waiting for a service dog.
- Reduced family impact: Service dogs were associated with lower family burden caused by the recipient’s chronic condition.
- Enhanced quality of life: Families with service dogs reported better emotional health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that service dogs can have a ripple effect, extending benefits beyond the primary recipient to the entire family unit. This underscores the importance of involving caregivers and family members in discussions about integrating service dogs into households, as their presence can foster collective resilience and emotional support.
Source: Bibbo, J., Rodriguez, K. E., & O’Haire, M. (2019). Impact of Service Dogs on Family Members’ Psychosocial Functioning. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(3), 7303205120p1–7303205120p11. Authors: J. Bibbo, K. E. Rodriguez, M. O’Haire. Journal: American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
