The phrase "handicapped owners" refers to people who have physical or mental disabilities and own something, like a business or a home. Full definition
Sniffing dogs, service dogs for handicapped owners, search and rescue dogs, sled and carting dogs, hunting dogs — all carry their obedience training to the highest degree. (canismajor.com)
Golden Retrievers help handicapped owners, retrieve shot birds, and visit hospitals and nursing homes. (canismajor.com)
CCI is moving away from using German shepherds for two reasons: first, a lot of the public view (and fear) German shepherds as «police» or «guard» dogs, and second, German shepherds bond very strongly to people and the program is difficult on them because first they form a strong bond to their puppy raiser, then to their trainer when they go back to CCI, and then to their eventual handicapped owner. (k9web.com)