A recent small study has shown that specially trained service dogs have helped to ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers talk therapy and medications for veterans with PTSD, as well as a pilot program involving service dogs. The VA can prescribe service dogs to certain veterans with PTSD and covers some associated costs. Researchers hope that this study can help expand options for service members and provide a more evidence-based approach to using service dogs. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and was published in JAMA Network Open.
The study, conducted by the University of Arizona’s veterinary college, compared 81 veterans who received service dogs with 75 veterans on a waiting list for trained dogs. PTSD symptoms were measured by psychology doctoral students who were not aware of which veterans had service dogs. After three months, both groups showed improvement in PTSD symptoms, but the veterans with dogs saw a larger improvement on average. The dogs are trained to pick up physical signs of distress from their owners and can interrupt panic attacks and nightmares. Service dogs should be seen as complementary therapy and not a standalone treatment, according to the researchers.
It remains unclear from the study whether spending time with any dog would have had the same effect on PTSD symptoms. About 40% of the veterans in both groups owned pet dogs, and all participants had access to other PTSD treatments. The VA continues to review research on the effectiveness of service dogs and is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care to veterans. The study’s findings highlight the potential benefits of service dogs for veterans with PTSD, and more research is needed to fully understand the impact of this type of therapy.
PTSD is more common among veterans than civilians, affecting as many as 29% of Iraq war veterans over their lifetimes. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, numbness, and feeling constantly on edge. One veteran, Dave Crenshaw, who served with the Army National Guard in Iraq, was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016 while working undercover in law enforcement. After meeting his service dog, Doc, in 2019, Crenshaw experienced an overwhelming feeling of joy and wholesomeness. Doc senses when Crenshaw is upset and provides comfort, leading to Crenshaw no longer requiring antidepressants and enjoying retirement from the military and law enforcement.
Crenshaw credits Doc with helping him get his life back on track and describes the service dog as the “greatest medicine with the least amount of side effects.” The bond between service dogs and veterans can have a profound impact on the mental health of veterans with PTSD. The study’s results support the idea that service dogs can enhance the overall experience and reduce symptoms when added to existing medical practices. Moving forward, it will be important for continued research and evaluation of the effectiveness of service dogs in supporting veterans with PTSD.
