Introduction: Occupations are activities that hold meaning and significance for individuals and support their participation in society. Occupational therapists facilitate the inclusion and participation of disabled individuals in these occupations, often using assistive technology, including service dogs. With their help, disabled individuals can perform occupations and integrate into society, which also affects their quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the experiences of individuals who live with a service dog and incorporate it into various occupations. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted for this thesis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Nine individuals living with a service dog were included. Results: The obtained data were categorized into four key themes through content analysis. Interviewees perceive the service dog as one of the best life experiences. The service dog is trained to perform specific tasks, which enable disabled individuals to re-engage in occupations and positively impact their mental health. In addition to positive experiences, interviewees also report negative experiences, mainly related to public unawareness, poorly regulated legislation, and changes in the dog's behavior. Discussion and conclusion: The service dog is not well known as an important element in the inclusion of disabled individuals in occupations. With skills such as fetching, picking up items, pressing buttons, and pulling, it provides physical assistance in performing occupations. The presence of a service dog noticeably reduces depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Owners of service dogs encounter negative experiences such as denied entry to public places, changes in the dog's behavior, and balancing their own needs with those of the dog. The research results open up additional questions and possibilities for further research in this field.
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