The lived experiences of people with physical disabilities who partner with service dogs along with their family members: An interpretive phenomenological analysis of family experiences

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals with physical disabilities who partner with service dogs along with the lived experiences of their family members. A review of the literature revealed there is limited research in the field of family therapy on service dogs' impact on family systems. Seven families making up a total of fourteen participants in this study all had experiences partnering either directly or indirectly with service dogs. Interpretive phenomenological analysis provided the foundation for discerning the four super-ordinate themes and sixteen emergent themes. The four super-ordinate thems included: The Process of Attachment and Family Relationships, Beyond Physical Assistance, The Impact of Our Service Dog, and Reflection on Our Experiences with Our Service Dog. The results revealed that family members experienced the integration of their service dogs in positive ways, as they each developed their own relationships with the service dogs. Family members' relationships were strengthened and quality of life improved through many unanticipated benefits of their service dogs. Following discussion of the findings, the researcher reviewed the implications. Clinical implications for family therapists include: awareness of the benefits of service dogs may lead to educating families about service dogs, asssisting families with processing their roles, and exploring how the added family member changes the system. Policy implications may assist with improving insurance coverage for the costs of service dogs as well as service dog organizations improving their policies and procedures on the processes of integrating service dogs in families' homes.