Dis/Ability: A Discussion on Creating More Accessible Employment for Assistance Dog Instructors with Disabilities

Abstract

Disabled individuals can and do lead successful careers as assistance dog instructors. However, the international percentage of professional disabled instructors is significantly lower than their able-bodied colleagues. This paper takes an initial step in questioning the benefits and challenges of creating more accessible and inclusive career paths for disabled assistance dog instructors, hopefully acting as a springboard for future research, and initiating conversation within the assistance dog sector itself, as well. Some disabled individuals may have a disability, or combinations of more than one, which could challenge the welfare and wellbeing of the dogs they educate. Others may have a greater aptitude for educating assistance dogs and offering deeper empathy at times. This paper was inspired by the author's six years working as a guide dog instructor. It questions what the implications of a disabled trainer's career might be for the disabled individual, assistance dog, employer, and client.