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Published on: October 10, 2012
An Observational Study of Service Dogs for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Bobbi Jo H Yarborough1, Ashli A Owen-Smith1, Scott P Stumbo1
1With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
Objectives:
This study examined needs related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assistance by service dogs, and feasibility of data collection among veterans receiving service dogs.
Methods:
Questionnaires assessed PTSD-related needs and services performed or expected to be performed by service dogs among 78 veterans who had or were on a wait list for a service dog (average age, 42; women, 31%). Analyses compared pre-post characteristics among 22 veterans who received a service dog as part of the study (91% follow-up; average follow-up=3.37±2.57 months).
Results:
Veterans reported that the most important services performed were licking or nudging veterans to help them "stay present," preventing panic, and putting space between veterans and strangers. High follow-up rates and improvements in outcomes with moderate to large effect sizes among recipients of study-provided dogs suggest further study is warranted.
Conclusions:
Service dogs may be feasible supports for veterans with PTSD; randomized clinical trials are needed to assess effectiveness.
