Service dogs for Autism Spectrum Disorder: the experiences of caregivers in South Africa
- Authors: Martin, Emma Jeanne
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Autism spectrum disorders South Africa , Service dogs South Africa , Animals Therapeutic use South Africa , Caregivers South Africa , Animals Therapeutic use Public opinion , Animal welfare South Africa , Children with autism spectrum disorders South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232855 , vital:50032
- Description: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, most frequently diagnosed in childhood, with symptoms including deficits in social communication and interaction as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours, interests and activities. There is no known cure for ASD, with current treatment methods focussing upon reducing symptom severity. One such treatment method is the use of autism service dogs. Internationally, autism service dogs have been available for over two decades, while in South Africa they have only been available since 2015. A fair amount of internationally published data is available on autism service dogs, however, at the time of this research study, no data was available within South Africa. This study aimed to provide a baseline for research on autism service dogs within South Africa, by documenting the experiences of caregivers whose ASD children had been supplied with autism service dogs, with regard to the uses, effects, accessibility and public perception of the autism service dogs, as well as recommendations for future improvements of autism service dogs within South Africa. Lastly, inquiry into the welfare of the autism service dogs was sought. This study was qualitative in nature, with eight families who had been supplied with autism service dogs having chosen to participate. Data collection was achieved through one semi-structured interview with each family, which was then transcribed and thematically analysed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Results indicated that autism service dogs were perceived as generally accessible, useful and beneficial for ASD children and their caregivers in a variety of ways, however, they were not without their challenges, with lifestyle adjustments and public perception being especially problematic. Participants also noted recommendations for possible future improvements. Lastly, welfare concerns for the autism service dogs relating to violent behaviour exhibited by ASD children was identified, raising the question of the suitability of service dogs for the ASD population. , Thesis (MA) -- Humanities, Psychology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
Experiences of pet loss in the South African context
- Authors: Lowen, Kathleen Louise
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pet loss -- Psychological aspects , Pet loss -- South Africa -- Case studies , Pets -- Death , Pet ownders -- Psychology , Human-animal relationships -- Psychological aspects , Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4326 , vital:20649
- Description: In this research the experience of pet loss in relation to the intensity of grief and the repression of that grief due to societal restrictions was studied in a South African sample of 12 pet owners who had experienced the loss of a pet within 24 months prior to the study. A pilot study was conducted in order to refine the semi-structured interview schedule. Participants were asked about their pets, their experience of pet loss in relation to their feelings before and after the loss and whether they felt they could openly grieve around friends and family. The findings indicated that the intensity of grief experienced by the participants was influenced both by the intensity of their Bond with the pet and the repression of their grief due to assumed social sanctions surrounding mourning the loss of a pet. The findings from the study clearly indicate the necessity for pet loss counselling, however it was clear that societal views surrounding pet loss are shifting, thus allowing pet owners to mourn their loss more openly with family and friends. This indicates a decrease in cases of disenfranchised and complicated grief. Furthermore the impact of pet loss necessitates the social legitimation and acknowledgment of the significance of pet loss in contemporary society as these relationships with pets are an increasingly prominent feature both within and as an alternative to familial systems.
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- Date Issued: 2017