The Impact of Service Dogs on Military Veterans and (Ex) First Aid Responders With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID15525815
AuthorsEmmy A E van Houtert (0000-0002-1169-4525, Utrecht University, corresponding author), T B Rodenburg (0000-0002-3371-1461, Utrecht University), Eric Vermetten (0000-0003-0579-4404, Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group), Nienke Endenburg (0000-0003-1346-195X, Utrecht University)
Year2022
Volume13
Pages834291-834291
Publication date2022-05-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2022.834291
PMID35599765
OpenAlexW4225376882
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited26

Due to its novelty and lack of empirical study it remains unclear if a service dog truly mitigates the burden of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. To cross sectionally investigate the effect of service dogs on veterans and first aid responders with PTSD, we studied subjective and physiological parameters in 65 individuals divided over four groups. These groups were: veterans and first aid responders with PTSD and a service dog ( n = 20), with PTSD and a companion dog ( n = 10), with PTSD without a dog ( n = 12) and a group without PTSD ( n = 23). We found that veterans and first aid responders with PTSD who had a service dog showed significantly less PTSD related symptoms, better sleep quality, and better wellbeing experience, than those with a companion dog. Those with a service dog additionally experienced fewer PTSD related symptoms than those without a service dog and tended to walk more than individuals without PTSD. No differences were found in cortisol levels between groups though and changes in both salivary cortisol and activity were not linked to improved welfare experience. Though the use of physiological measurement methods thus warrants more research, our study indicates that the subjective experience of wellbeing, sleep quality and PTSD related symptoms is improved by the presence of a service dog

Combat stress reaction · Military personnel · Military service · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Service (business · Service member · Traumatic stress · Clinical Psychology · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Medicine · Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior · Psychology · Stress Responses and Cortisol