THE PLEASURES AND PROBLEMS OF HEARING DOG OWNERSHIP

Emotional aspects of owning hearing dogs were explored in 38 hearing-d og owners and a control group of 23 prospective owners. Both groups li sted companionship and hearing assistance as pleasant reasons for owni ng such dogs. Having a dog and personal independence were reasons ment ioned only by prospective owners. Both groups mentioned travel complic ations as unpleasant problems. Owners referred to dogs' behavior probl ems significantly more often than did prospective owners who appeared to have unrealistic expectations that dog ownership would be problem-f ree.