In a large-scale cross-sectional study published in Disability and Rehabilitation, researchers examined the impact of service dogs on the psychosocial health of individuals living with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. The study involved 154 participants, including 97 partnered with a mobility or medical service dog and 57 individuals on a waitlist to receive one.
Using validated psychological assessment tools, including the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and PROMIS measures for anger, companionship, and sleep disturbance, the researchers found that participants with a service dog had significantly improved emotional, social, and work/school functioning compared to those still on the waitlist. These results point to the broader benefits of service dogs beyond mobility and task assistance.
Interestingly, the study found no significant effect on levels of anger, sleep quality, or companionship. This suggests that while service dogs support certain key aspects of psychological wellness, their impact may not extend to all emotional domains. Among service dog recipients, metrics such as emotional closeness, interaction frequency, and duration of ownership showed only weak correlations with psychological outcomes, suggesting that merely having a dog may be the primary factor influencing wellbeing.
Lead author Kerri E. Rodriguez and her team emphasized that health professionals should view service dogs as sources of not only physical assistance but also meaningful psychosocial support. The research supports integrating service dogs more broadly into rehabilitation plans for individuals coping with physical impairments or chronic health conditions.
Source: Rodriguez, K. E., Bibbo, J., & O’Haire, M. (2019). The effects of service dogs on psychosocial health and wellbeing for individuals with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42, 1350–1358. Published January 11, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1524520
