Service Dog Handlers Described Perceived Stereotypes During the Job Interview Process

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how disabled service dog handlers described perceived stereotypes about themselves as influencing the job interview process in the southwestern United States. The study interviewed 20 disabled service dog handlers to describe perceived stereotypes and how they felt the perceived stereotypes influenced their job interview experience. Eight of the participants participated in virtual focus groups, and the remaining 12 participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The research findings suggest the following nine themes: (a) personal stereotypes centered on physical appearance or medical equipment. (b) stereotypes related to performance or capability within a potential workplace (c) concerns about company and coworker support and privacy for themselves and their service animal (d) pre-existing knowledge, legality, and perceptions about service dogs within their community impact their perception of stereotypes (e) disabled service dog handlers described their perceptions of community awareness about service dogs (f) disabled service dog handlers described the emotional impact stereotypes within their community had on them (g) changes were made to their behaviors based on past experiences with stereotypes (h) perceptions of how the interviewer behaved during the interview was a mix of perceived negative and positive behaviors(i) an understanding of their emotions changed based on how they behaved during the interview.