Presenter(s)

Lindsey Person

Comments

9:00-10:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Download

Download Project (696 KB)

Description

The partnership between service dogs and people with disabilities provides important social, psychological, and physical benefits. The early training of service dogs involves learning the basic commands, such as sit and stay, and exposing the dogs to many different people and situations. Some universities partner with service dog training organizations to perform the early training. Such training involves bringing the service dogs in-training into classrooms. Having dogs that are not fully trained in classrooms could be disruptive for reasons such as allergies, religious beliefs, fear, and distraction. Having dogs in a classroom can also improve the mood of and reduce the stress of students and instructors. This study will use a diverse and inclusive sample to investigate the instructor’s, students’, and dog handler’s attitudes toward having the service dog in-training in the classroom. Perceived stressors for the service dogs in-training will be measured. Best practices for mitigating any issues that are found will be created.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Greg C. Elvers

Primary Advisor's Department

Psychology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Attitudes Toward Service Dogs In-Training

Share

COinS