%0 Journal Article
%T Understanding the experience of assistance dog providers supporting people with disability: an exploratory study.
%A Hill J
%A Gui J
%A Moodley K
%A Driscoll C
%J Disabil Rehabil
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 May 31
%M 38821114
%F 2.439
%R 10.1080/09638288.2024.2354512
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Assistance dogs can provide many health and wellbeing benefits to people with disability, however challenges remain. Assistance dog providers provide crucial support to assistance dog handlers, however limited literature exists exploring their experience working with people with disability. This study aimed to understand the experiences of assistance dog providers working in Australia.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Twelve assistance dog providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Five themes emerged describing the participant experience. Theme one discussed instances of discrimination experienced by assistance dog handlers, stemming from the lack of public awareness. Theme two captured the inconsistencies regarding the training of assistance dog providers with a specific focus on the gaps in the disability specific knowledge. Theme three emphasised the lack of clarity regarding legislation outlining the training requirements of assistance dog providers and the public access rights of the handlers. Theme four emphasised funding barriers, and theme five discussed barriers to interprofessional collaboration between assistance dog providers and allied health professionals.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>These findings contribute to understanding the current barriers experienced by assistance dog providers and assistance dog handlers, as well as the legislative changes required to better support people with disability.<BR>Increasing evidence suggests that assistance dogs may provide benefits for people with disability, however challenges remain.There is a need for national and international legislation outlining the definition of an assistance dog, the training requirements of assistance dog providers, as well as the public access rights of assistance dog handlers.Assistance dog providers require structured education opportunities supporting their knowledge of disability to support assistance dog handlers most effectively.Interprofessional practice between assistance dog providers and allied health professionals has the potential to result in greater client-centred care.