Abstract
For centuries, dogs have been utilized for therapeutic purposes, as pets, and as highly trained service animals. Past research has focused specifically on the benefits associated with utilizing service dogs, especially for people with disabilities and veterans. 4 Paws for Ability is an organization designed to place service dogs with children and veterans who need their assistance in order to live productive and functional lives. Recently, they have started partnering with universities in an effort to increase the access to service dogs for these individuals. Students commit to fostering a service-dog-in-training for a semester and are responsible for socializing them. They take the dogs to class, work, and other places on campus so that the dogs can become familiar with situations they could potentially encounter when placed with a child or veteran. This research sought to determine the perceptions of students at Eastern Kentucky University regarding the introduction of this program. A survey was sent out to EKU students that revealed past pet interactions, knowledge of the therapy dog program on campus, and the likelihood of participating in the program. Results revealed an overwhelming support for the program, with few, easily addressed concerns identified by students. Suggestions regarding future research are provided.
Semester/Year of Award
Spring 2015
Mentor
Kathy Splinter-Watkins
Mentor Department Affiliation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Access Options
Restricted Access Thesis
Document Type
Bachelor Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Department
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Department Name when Degree Awarded
Occupational Therapy
IRB Approval Number (if applicable)
15-144
Recommended Citation
Worley, Kara, "Student Perceptions of Introducing a Service-Dog-in-Training Program at Eastern Kentucky University" (2015). Honors Theses. 253.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/253
