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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:59
The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
The experience of owning a guide dog
Cindy Wiggett-Barnard1, Henry Steel
1University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. cindywiggett@mweb.co.za
Disability and Rehabilitation
|October 28, 2008
Summary
Guide dog ownership profoundly impacts the lives of people with blindness in South Africa, presenting both challenges and benefits. This qualitative study highlights key themes and offers recommendations for support services.
Area of Science:
- Disability Studies
- Human-Animal Interaction
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Guide dogs provide crucial mobility assistance to individuals with blindness.
- Understanding the lived experiences of guide dog owners is essential for improving support services.
- The South African context presents unique socio-economic and cultural factors influencing guide dog ownership.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the dynamics of guide dog ownership in a South African sample.
- To understand the guide dog-owner relationship and its influence on the lives of people with blindness.
- To examine the current state of guide dog ownership within the South African context.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative methodology utilizing structured interviews.
- Phenomenological data analysis approach.
- In-depth interviews with six participants from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in the Western Cape.
Main Results:
- Eight common themes emerged regarding guide dog ownership experiences.
- Guide dog ownership was identified as a life-changing experience with both positive and negative aspects.
- The study provides insights into the multifaceted impact of guide dogs on daily life.
Conclusions:
- Guide dog ownership offers significant life changes, encompassing both advantages and disadvantages.
- Recommendations are provided for service providers supporting individuals with disabilities.
- Suggestions for future research on guide dog ownership are proposed.
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