Military Veterans And Their Ptsd Service Dogs: Associations Between Training Methods Ptsd Severity Dog Behavior And The Human
- 1Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- 2Center for the Human-Animal Bond, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- 3Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
Introduction: Psychiatric service dogs are increasingly being sought out by military veterans as a complementary intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder . After receiving a service dog, many veterans continue training their service dog at home. Our objective was to explore the associations between training methods, PTSD severity, service dog behavior, and the veteran-service dog bond in a population of military veterans with PTSD.
Methods: Post-9/11 military veterans with PTSD who had received a psychiatric service dog were recruited from a national service dog provider. A total of 111 veterans participated in an online survey regarding frequency of training methods, PTSD symptom severity, service dog behavior, and the human-animal bond. Service dogs were predominately Labrador Retriever purebreds or mixes of various breeds and mostly obtained from shelters or rescues . Training methods were divided into five categories: positive reinforcement , negative punishment , positive punishment , dominance , and bond-based . Data were analyzed using general linear models.
Veterans With Ptsd Could Get Service Dogs From Va Under New Law
President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed a bill into law that will allow some veterans with mental health conditions to receive service dogs.
The new law orders the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary to develop and launch a five-year pilot program that provides service dog training to benefit veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Previously, the VA only covered some costs of service dogs for veterans with certain physical disabilities, such as blindness, hearing impairment and mobility issues but not mental health conditions.
Biden signed the bill in the Oval Office. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who led the legislation through Congress, attended the ceremony.
Ive had the chance to visit with veterans and their service dogs in my district, and it couldnt be clearer how service dogs make life better for our veterans, Slotkin said in a statement Wednesday. From waking them from PTSD-related nightmares, helping them open doors, or finding an exit in a crowded space, it can be transformational.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, or PAWS Act, requires the VA to start the pilot program in early 2022, and it must be carried out by at least five VA medical centers. The facilities will partner with accredited service dog organizations to perform the training.
A Place Of Confidence
In the past, Wounded Warriors Canadas significant investment in Service Dogs was difficult to identify. Building on the foundation of the four critical elements listed above, all WWC investments in Service Dogs will be seen in distinctive Red Service Dog. The vests, bearing the Wounded Warriors Canada Supported Service Dog patch, identify the Service Dog Provider responsible for training and pairing.
This will result in donors, the general public and more importantly Veterans, First Responders and their families having confidence that Dogs in these distinctive vests meet only the highest standards.
The WWC Service Dog Program does not provide fundingto train your own Dog!
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The average cost to properly train and pair a service dog is $15,000 and takes on average two years to complete the pairing process. Whats more, because of the complexity of the training, not all dogs that train to become at PTSD Service Dog graduate. That is why its imperative that we get as many dogs training with our partners as we possibly can.
Together, we can work towards the goal that no qualifying Veteran or First Responder ever waits to receive this life-changing experience that they so rightly deserve.
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What Does The Paws Grant Cover
The grants provided by the PAWS bill wouldnt just cover the costs of training a dog for veterans with PTSD or TBI. They would also pay for a lifetime of veterinary health insurance for the dog, service dog hardware, and payment for travel expenses needed for the veteran to acquire the dog.
This is a fantastic step forward in helping veterans, says Tom Coleman, Executive Director of Pawsitivity Service Dogs. The VA covers service dogs for vets with other physical disabilities, but at this time, they wont cover service dogs for PTSD.
Limited Evidence For The Effectiveness Of Cam In Ptsd
Despite the widespread use of CAM among individuals with PTSD, evidence to support the efficacy of CAM for treating PTSD is limited. The current empirical evidence for different CAM modalities in PTSD is described below. This is not an exhaustive list of potential applications of CAM in PTSD. It is limited to those CAM modalities that have been tested in controlled studies in patients with PTSD. For each modality, treatment effects on PTSD symptoms and key limitations are summarized.
Acupuncture
There has been one published randomized clinical trial of acupuncture as a treatment for PTSD. In that study, acupuncture was superior to waitlist and comparable to group CBT for PTSD in a non-Veteran sample . Although the effect size was large, the sample was small and there was no control for the nonspecific features of acupuncture . A recent systematic review described the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture for PTSD as encouraging, but concluded that further trials are needed . Of note, five of the six studies examined in that review were conducted in China, where acupuncture is a mainstream treatment. Therefore findings may not generalize to the use of acupuncture as a CAM modality in Western medicine.
Meditation
Relaxation
Yoga
Other CAM mind-body practices
These initial studies begin to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility of adjunctive CAM mind-body approaches, but do not provide conclusive information about efficacy.
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Questionnaire Differences Between Groups
The questionnaire scores of the PCL5, PSQI, and SF36 were compared between participant groups using a series of Mann-Whitney tests between group pairs. Regarding the PCL5 questionnaire, it was found that participants without PTSD or service dog had significantly lower PCL 5 scores than participants with PTSD and a service dog , participants with PTSD and a companion dog , and participants with PTSD without a dog . It was additionally found that individuals with PTSD who were supported by a service dog had significantly lower PCL5 scores than those with a companion dog or with PTSD without a dog .
The average scores for the PCL5 , PSQI , SF36 , and MDORS questionnaires per participant group. The four groups are: individuals with PTSD and a service dog , individuals with PTSD and a companion dog , individuals with PTSD without a dog , Individuals without PTSD .
Regarding the PSQI it was found that participants without PTSD had significantly lower PSQI scores than participants with PTSD and a service dog , with PTSD and a companion dog , and PTSD without a dog .
Regarding the SF36 it was found that participants without PTSD had significantly lower SF36 scores than participants with PTSD and a service dog , participants with PTSD and a companion dog , and without a dog . It was additionally found that individuals with PTSD who were supported by a service dog had significantly lower SF36 scores than those with a companion dog .
Va’s Support Of Research On Cam For Ptsd
VA’s evidence Synthesis Program in the Health Services Research and Development Service conducted a comprehensive literature review of CAM for PTSD . In addition, VA’s Office of Research and Development undertook a dedicated effort to evaluate CAM in the treatment of PTSD with the solicitation of research applications examining the efficacy of meditative approaches to PTSD treatment the result was three clinical trials examining mindfulness-based stress reduction or mantram repetition. View VA’s ORD information on CAM or clinicaltrials.gov for an updated list of CAM research projects supported by VA.
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Treatment For Ptsd And Addiction
Of course, getting a PTSD service dog takes time and access to service dog teams, training programs, and other resources. In situations where you are unable to get a PTSD service dog but still require mental health treatment, consider turning to a facility that offers equine therapy.
Equine therapy uses the healing properties of horse riding and equine care to help veterans through PTSD, addiction, and other mental health struggles. You will work with an expert to learn how to care for the horse and how to get the most out of your riding sessions. These sessions help veterans to decrease stress, work on trust in others, practice patience, build strength, and prepare for the journey of sobriety.
As you work through your treatment program, you will not only have access to traditional therapeutic approaches like individualized therapy, group sessions, and a 12-step program, but you will also be able to experience the freedom of riding horses and create a lifetime bond with this new companion.
If you are a veteran who is in need of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, or other mental health conditions, Heroes Mile can get you back on the saddle. For more information on how our unique therapy approaches can help you, give us a call at or fill out our confidential form today.
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Complementary And Alternative Medicine Therapies
Broadly conceptualized, “complementary and alternative medicine” refers to treatments not considered to be standard in the current practice of Western medicine:
- Complementary refers to the use of these techniques in combination with conventional approaches.
- Alternative refers to their use in lieu of conventional practices.
Many treatments and techniques that are considered CAM within the U.S. are part of conventional medicinal practices in other parts of the world. As Western practitioners and consumers increasingly adopt these approaches, the boundaries between conventional medicine and CAM continue to shift. Please visit The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine for a complete overview of CAM interventions.
In This Article
How Have Service Dogs Changed The Lives Of Veterans
Service dogs are literally and figuratively opening doors for veterans, allowing them to socialize, go back to work, and even travel. Unlike emotional support animals who dont go through the rigorous training process that service dogs do, these dogs are always well-behaved and allowed by law into most places that other dogs are not, like the workplace.
One of our early veterans who could barely come to a meeting due to anxiety has become a veteran advocate and passed legislature in Massachusetts to help veterans needing immediate medical attentionoften for suicidewhen the VA was not available, says Barney.
A veteran who Americas VetDogs paired with a service dog had his life changed when that dog helped alleviate his night terrors, balance issues, and hypervigilance. Never a fan of public speaking, he now regularly speaks on behalf of the organization, says OBrien.
Another veteran, Peter Bannon, served as a combat infantryman, including tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Performing duties in service to his country has left him with severe PTSD, says Coleman. Pawsitivity Service Dogs paired him with a black Labrador Retriever named Daniel. Peter reports that, after training with Daniel, the relationship has made it possible for him to spend time in public and in his workplace with increased security and confidence.
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Ptsd Dogs For Veterans Help
Veterans who have experienced PTSD are turning to their furry friends to help them cope, and its making a huge difference in their daily lives.
These highly-trained dogs can perform everyday tasks that improve the lives of veterans struggling with PTSD: from fetching needed objects and alerting others when help is required to reducing stress and helping veterans feel safe in public. These canines are making a real impact by assisting veterans in feeling more confident, calm, and secure.
Activity Differences Between Groups
The number of steps taken, mean time walking and percentage of stillness were compared between participant groups using a series of Mann-Whitney tests between group pairs. These tests showed that the total number of steps taken tended to be higher for participants with PTSD and a service dog than for individuals without PTSD or service dog . No other differences between groups were found.
The number of steps taken during 24 h , mean step time , and percentage stillness per participant group. The four groups are: individuals with PTSD and a service dog , individuals with PTSD and a companion dog , individuals with PTSD without a dog , Individuals without PTSD .
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How Ptsd Service Dogs Help Veterans
Studies prove that having a trained animal companion helps those who struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders to cope with the overwhelming symptoms. This is true for veterans as well. PTSD service dogs are often a great resource for veterans to rely on for a sense of security as they work their way through therapy for PTSD, addiction, and other mental health conditions.
If you or your loved one is a veteran who is struggling with conditions like PTSD and addiction, the right kind of treatment is out there for you to heal. Learn more below about treating PTSD through service animals, other unique therapy approaches, and veteran-focused care.
Widespread Use Of Cam For Ptsd In Veteran And Civilian Populations
In general, reported rates of CAM use are similar in Veteran and civilian samples, ranging from approximately one-quarter to one-half of respondents, depending on the type of CAM and health conditions assessed . Active military personnel are not captured in nationally representative or Veteran samples, but research suggests rates of CAM use in the military are similar , if not higher than rates of CAM use among Veterans and civilians.
The use of CAM therapies specifically for management and treatment of mental health problems is common and increasing . Among a nationally representative sample, rates of CAM increased for managing anxiety and depression between 1990 and 1997 . In another nationally representative sample, survey results showed that CAM therapies were used more commonly than conventional therapies to treat self-defined anxiety attacks and severe depression .
Research on use of CAM specific to individuals with PTSD is emerging and suggests extensive utilization.
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Results Of Va Study On Ptsd And Service Dogs
See also: VA study team responses to National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine review: Monograph 1, Monograph 2
As authorized by Congress, VA completed a study to determine if service dogs can help Veterans with PTSD. The first of two monographs describing the study and reporting its overall results was posted here in 2021. The second monograph , focused on health economics and cost-effectiveness findings from the study, is now publicly available as well.
Evaluating different treatment options for Veterans coping with PTSD and other mental health issues is a top priority for VA. The study team and affected clinical program offices, which include VA’s Office of Research and Development, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, and Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services, are undertaking a thorough review of the findings and their interpretation. VA is working to refine conclusions and recommendations and fully understand policy implications of the results.
As required by Section 1077 of P.L. 111-84, Monographs 1 and 2 were reviewed by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine .
To learn more about VAs Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit, visit www.prosthetics.va.gov/ServiceAndGuideDogs.asp. Read more about VA research on PTSD at www.research.va.gov/topics/ptsd.cfm.
What Does The Paws Bill Call For
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2021 bill, S. 951, sets up a grant program for service dog organizations that provide trained dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD or TBI. This bill and its companion bill, H.R. 1022, establish a three-year pilot program thats administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs .
Organizations and trainers accredited by Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation would receive the grantswhich are $25,000 or less. Grants would also be available for trainers and programs whose dogs meet the standards established by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans, which requires passing several levels of AKC Canine Good Citizen tests, in addition to performing tasks that help mitigate the veterans specific disability. To qualify for a grant, organizations must also have staff available who understand the unique needs of veterans with PTSD.
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