Inspirational and inclusive: celebrating the women behind our success

As we mark International Women’s Day, I am particularly struck by this year’s theme: Inspire Inclusion. For me, that two-word phrase sums up what Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is all about. The inspirational work of our global network of members is only possible because we embrace inclusivity.

Physical and mental health challenges can affect anyone. Assistance dogs don’t discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, disability or income - and nor does ADI. I came across one study carried out at the University of British Columbia which showed that dogs can have a “positive wellness effect” regardless of gender identity. “The vast majority of responses showed that the dogs helped the students feel and experience something positive regardless of their gender,” concluded the researchers.

That said, there is plenty of evidence that gender plays a significant role in how dogs interact with people. In another study, psychologists at Queens University, Belfast recorded the reactions of 30 dogs in a rescue shelter. They found that the gender of a person standing near the dog made a difference to the dog's behavior - they stopped barking or being defensive much quicker when the individual was a woman.

ADI has always championed gender inclusivity. I’m proud that many of our member programs were founded by, and are led by, strong, inspirational women. Around 80 percent of our CEOs and Executive Directors are women. It’s the same story when it comes to our social media communities - two-thirds of our Instagram followers are women, while for Facebook it’s more than three-quarters.

The overwhelming majority of ADI trainers, breeders, puppy raisers and volunteers are women. There’s something in the female psyche which tends to make us more empathetic, patient and ready to praise - all of which traits are essential for working with both assistance dogs and their partners.

One reason why dogs may respond better to women could be that dogs are more responsive to female voices and speech patterns, honed over millennia of soothing fractious babies. Just last year, a study from the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary, suggested that certain areas of the canine brain respond better to infant-directed speech, just like infant humans. “This is neural evidence showing that dog's brains, just like the brains of human children, are attuned to exactly the kind of special speech patterns that people usually direct to them. Dogs appear to be particularly sensitive to both dog-directed speech and infant-directed speech,” the researchers concluded.

Ultimately, of course, what matters for ADI, our members and the tens of thousands of clients they serve is that we continue to work with the very best professional dog trainers. So, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s raise a glass to those inspirational women who work so hard to make this world a better, place for assistance dogs and their partners.

###

Chris Diefenthaler is the Executive Director for Assistance Dogs International (ADI), who works with the international and regional boards to oversee the daily operations, provide information to the public about the high standards developed by ADI and helps direct potential assistance dog consumers to the appropriate member organization that can meet their needs.

From my experience of twenty-five years managing a variety of nonprofit organizations including as an executive director of an assistance dog organization, I have a strong understanding of the issues and challenges facing assistance dog organizations. I really enjoy providing support to our members by organizing educational conferences/seminars, providing networking opportunities and sharing best practices and information to continually improve our member’s programs and services. I have a black lab, Tori, that has a wonderful sweet temperament and an ornery orange tabby cat, Scout. I enjoy outdoor activities with my husband, playing tennis, biking and walking at our local parks.  

Interested in writing a blog post for ADI? Please see our submission form.