At a glance
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Can Service Dogs Improve Activity and Quality of Life in Veterans With PTSD?
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Emotional Support Dogs and Service Dogs for Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. Completed, enrolled 287 participants across 4 sites.
Detailed Summary
Service Dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities to accomplish tasks which permit the individual to be more functional in their home and social environment. Often the dogs are trained to help in the completion of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Service Dogs are efficacious for individuals with disabilities, such as vision limitations, spinal cord injury and hearing problems. In addition, some mental health outcomes have improved with the introduction of a Service Dog. A research study was mandated in the Department of Defense Bill of 2010, to examine the efficacy of service dogs for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Together with the Cooperative Studies Program, the proponents have designed a research study to effectively meet the demands of the Bill and to provide timely research into an evolving field.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Emotional Support Dogs were required to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen and the American Kennel Club Community Canine tests and be well-behaved and well-socialized.
Service Dogs were required to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen and the Assistance Dogs International Public Access tests and trained to complete five PTSD-specific tasks (lights, sweep, bring, block, \& behind).