Service Dogs for PTSD

Overseen By Maggie O'Haire, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: Generalized anxiety, Substance abuse, Major depression, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 months

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military Veterans is a critical public health concern. Veteran suicide rates exceed those of the general population, with the disorder creating a mental health challenge that is costly and debilitating. The majority of Veterans with PTSD also have comorbid mental health diagnoses, such as generalized anxiety disorder, substance abuse disorder, and major depression. The treatment of Veteran PTSD and comorbid disorders represents an important therapeutic and rehabilitation problem. The disorder is complex and difficult to treat, with high treatment dropout and nonresponse rates spurring some Veterans to seek complementary integrative health strategies. One promising complementary strategy is the provision of a trained service dog. Initial evidence across multiple research groups highlights service dogs as a promising complement to evidence-based practices that can offer short-term improvements. However, the long-term effectiveness, mechanisms of action, and moderators of efficacy remain largely unknown. Thus, the overarching objective of this proposal is to understand how, why, and for whom PTSD service dogs are most effective. To address this objective, the present project will assess the longitudinal efficacy and dose-response curve of service dogs for Veteran PTSD symptomology and psychosocial functioning. The research design will consist of a two-arm, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with longitudinal assessments over a period of 15 months. Results are expected to elucidate the clinical impact of service dogs for military Veterans with PTSD, as well as the biobehavioral mechanisms of action and characteristics that moderate efficacy. These outcomes will support the long-term goal of accelerating complementary and integrative health interventions, through optimized and evidence-based service dog interventions. As such, this project will further advance the scientific understanding of human-animal interactions for psychosocial health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on assessing the impact of service dogs on PTSD, so it's likely you can continue your current treatments.

Is it safe for humans to use service dogs for PTSD?

The research does not provide specific safety data for using service dogs for PTSD, but it discusses benefits and challenges, suggesting that while there are positive effects, there may also be drawbacks to consider. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How do service dogs differ from other treatments for PTSD?

Service dogs for PTSD offer a unique treatment by providing companionship and support, which can help reduce symptoms through the human-animal bond. Unlike traditional therapies or medications, service dogs offer continuous, real-time assistance and emotional support, which can improve the well-being of veterans and their families. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment PTSD Service Dog for PTSD?

Research shows that having a service dog can help reduce PTSD symptoms and depression. Studies found that getting a service dog was better than waiting for one, and animal-assisted therapy, which includes service dogs, has shown significant benefits in reducing PTSD symptoms. ^{4 8 9 10 11}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for military veterans with PTSD who have been honorably discharged or are currently serving honorably. They must be approved to receive a psychiatric service dog and have no convictions of crimes against animals.

Inclusion Criteria

You were honorably discharged from the military or are currently serving honorably.

I have been diagnosed with PTSD.

You are currently serving in the military.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a trained service dog as a complementary strategy to usual care for PTSD

8 months

Regular assessments throughout the treatment period

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

7 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PTSD Service Dog

Trial Overview The study tests the long-term effectiveness of PTSD service dogs on veterans' symptoms and psychosocial functioning. It's a two-arm randomized clinical trial with assessments over 15 months to see how well these dogs help.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PTSD Service Dog Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Citations

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expectations versus experiences of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs: An inductive conventional content analysis. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Benefits and challenges of using service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2019]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD: Preliminary Outcomes. [2018]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions for children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal Assisted Therapy and Trauma Survivors. [2017]

6. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder: A narrative review of the literature. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary evidence is promising, but challenges remain in providing service dogs to veterans: Commentary on preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in military members and veterans (O'Haire & Rodriguez, 2018). [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Posttraumatic stress disorder service dogs and the wellbeing of veteran families. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in military members and veterans. [2019]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Military Veterans and Their PTSD Service Dogs: Associations Between Training Methods, PTSD Severity, Dog Behavior, and the Human-Animal Bond. [2020]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Insights into Canadians' Perceptions of Service Dogs in Public Spaces. [2023]