Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability

Based on the author’s personal experiences and research findings, this study introduces the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us!” and emphasizes the importance of inclusive approaches in the training and use of service dogs. The study proposes a multidisciplinary development as a solution to...

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Main Author: Eszter Loványi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Eötvös Loránd University Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education 2025-01-01
Series:Fogyatékosság és Társadalom
Online Access:https://fogyatekossagtudomany.elte.hu/article/robotok-vagy-mancsok-a-szolgalatban-egy-fogyatekossaggal-elo-gazda-inkluziv-kutatasanak-tanulsagai/
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author Eszter Loványi
author_facet Eszter Loványi
author_sort Eszter Loványi
collection DOAJ
description Based on the author’s personal experiences and research findings, this study introduces the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us!” and emphasizes the importance of inclusive approaches in the training and use of service dogs. The study proposes a multidisciplinary development as a solution to the service dog versus service robot dilemma. By leveraging technology, “technology-empowered service dogs” are positioned to significantly enhance the well-being of individuals with disabilities. The study highlights the participatory nature of this development, demonstrating how novel and truly usable solutions can be achieved through collaboration with service dog owners. A service dog supported by technology can outperform service robots in tasks that were previously considered their forte. In this “high-tech” project, which focuses on special needs education and technological innovation, not only technical and special needs professionals but also service dog trainers and service dog owners play crucial roles.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Eötvös Loránd University Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs Education
record_format Article
series Fogyatékosság és Társadalom
spelling doaj-art-67d05cf56a51450fbe6b116e043fd9ba2025-08-20T02:07:59ZengEötvös Loránd University Bárczi Gusztáv Faculty of Special Needs EducationFogyatékosság és Társadalom3004-01082025-01-0111111812910.31287/FT.en.2025.10Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability Eszter Loványihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1229-2090 Based on the author’s personal experiences and research findings, this study introduces the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us!” and emphasizes the importance of inclusive approaches in the training and use of service dogs. The study proposes a multidisciplinary development as a solution to the service dog versus service robot dilemma. By leveraging technology, “technology-empowered service dogs” are positioned to significantly enhance the well-being of individuals with disabilities. The study highlights the participatory nature of this development, demonstrating how novel and truly usable solutions can be achieved through collaboration with service dog owners. A service dog supported by technology can outperform service robots in tasks that were previously considered their forte. In this “high-tech” project, which focuses on special needs education and technological innovation, not only technical and special needs professionals but also service dog trainers and service dog owners play crucial roles.https://fogyatekossagtudomany.elte.hu/article/robotok-vagy-mancsok-a-szolgalatban-egy-fogyatekossaggal-elo-gazda-inkluziv-kutatasanak-tanulsagai/
spellingShingle Eszter Loványi
Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
Fogyatékosság és Társadalom
title Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
title_full Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
title_fullStr Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
title_full_unstemmed Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
title_short Robots or Paws in Service? Lessons from an Inclusive Research Journey by a Dog Owner with Disability
title_sort robots or paws in service lessons from an inclusive research journey by a dog owner with disability
url https://fogyatekossagtudomany.elte.hu/article/robotok-vagy-mancsok-a-szolgalatban-egy-fogyatekossaggal-elo-gazda-inkluziv-kutatasanak-tanulsagai/
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