Dog Training for PTSD

(VCRM Trial)

Overseen By Beth A Pratt, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Florida Atlantic University

Disqualifiers: Fear of dogs, allergies, uncorrected impairments

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 10 weeks

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this single-arm study is to learn if a dog adoption and training program can treat, prevent in \[describe participant population/primary condition; could include any of the following: sex/gender, age groups, healthy volunteers\]. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does the dog adoption and training program decrease posttraumatic stress symptoms in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?

* Does the dog adoption and training program decrease stress and improve psychosocial health in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?

* Does the dog adoption and training program decrease inflammation, increase oxytocin, and change the structure and resting-state function of specific brain regions in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?

Participants will:

* Attend eight one-hour professional dog training sessions within a 10-week period.

* Visit the clinical research unit four times during the study for data collection.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Beth A Pratt, PhD

Principal Investigator

Florida Atlantic University

Cheryl A Krause-Parello, PhD

Principal Investigator

Florida Atlantic University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18 years old.

* Applied and approved to adopt a shelter dog for training through the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

* English speaker (written and spoken)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend eight one-hour professional dog training sessions within a 10-week period

10 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Data Collection

Participants visit the clinical research unit for data collection

Concurrent with treatment phase

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in PTSD symptoms, inflammation, and other health indicators

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dog Adoption and Training

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Study Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Within-subjects design

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Florida Atlantic University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

35

Recruited

10,700+