Pawsitivity Service Dogs

VETERANS WITH PTSD

This page lists the many ways our service dogs help veterans with PTSD.

PTSD Dogs: Benefits

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Benefits of PTSD Service Dog

Service dogs are more than companions—they are lifelines for veterans with PTSD. These highly trained dogs provide emotional support, improve mental health, and help veterans regain their independence.

Proven Impact of Service Dogs for PTSD

After 11 years of research, the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed that service dogs are more effective than emotional support animals or pets in helping veterans with PTSD.

Key findings from the study include:

  • Service dogs significantly reduce the severity of PTSD symptoms[1].
  • They provide much-needed companionship and emotional grounding[1].
  • In many cases, service dogs have saved lives by offering early intervention and consistent support[1].

The Lasting Benefits of PTSD Service Dogs

Veterans with service dogs report reduced stress and greater resilience to PTSD triggers, including trauma-specific and environmental challenges. These improvements lead to:

  • Better sleep quality: Reduced stress promotes restful sleep, which enhances overall well-being[2].
  • Improved focus: Fewer flashbacks and better concentration make daily life more manageable[3].
  • Greater independence: Less reliance on medication and healthcare services[4].
  • Enhanced well-being: Many veterans feel less depressed, anxious, or isolated[5].

Transforming Daily Life: Additional Benefits

Service dogs address emotional responses often associated with PTSD:

  • Depression: Caring for a service dog motivates veterans to maintain daily routines, reducing feelings of despair[6].
  • Anger management: Knowing their actions impact their dog’s well-being helps veterans regulate their emotions[6].
  • Dissociation: The bond with a service dog helps veterans stay present, breaking cycles of detachment[7].

Scientific Evidence of the Benefits

Numerous studies underscore the profound impact of service dogs:

  • Improved self-esteem: Veterans with service dogs report increased confidence and a sense of purpose[8].
  • Increased independence and safety: Service dogs assist with daily activities and provide emotional security[9].
  • Reduced anxiety and depression: Interactions with service dogs can lower stress and improve overall mental health[10].
  • Lower reliance on medication: 40% of veterans with PTSD reduced their medication use after receiving a service dog[11].
  • Reduced suicidal thoughts: Service dogs offer hope and emotional stability, significantly reducing suicidal ideation[12].

Comprehensive Support for Mental Health and Beyond

Service dogs are not limited to assisting with PTSD. They also help with:

  • Severe depression[5].
  • Anxiety and phobias[10].
  • Panic attacks[9].
  • Physical disabilities that often co-occur with PTSD[2]

Real Stories of Impact

“After my husband’s accident, he couldn’t even go out the front door. With the help of his service dog, he gained the confidence to be able to do some of the things that he desired to do. It was like he blossomed back to life. His whole demeanor improved. He wasn’t so scared of life itself." – Testimonial

Join Us in Making a Difference

Every service dog costs $25,000 to train, but the impact on a veteran’s life is priceless. Your donation ensures we can provide these lifesaving companions at no cost to veterans in need.

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Sources:

[1] Human-Animal Bond Resource Center research abstract on the effects of service dogs, Rintala, Diana H; Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie; Hart, Karen A. SCI; Psychosocial Process, 15(2): 2002 Summer; 69-72.

[2] "The Effect of Service Dogs on the Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life," Shintani M, Senda M, Takayanagi T, Katayama Y, Furusawa K, Okutani T, Kataoka M, Ozaki T. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama.

[3] Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Braun, C., Stangler, T., Narveson, J., & Pettingell, S. (2009). 15(2), 105-109. Also, Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association Sobo, E. J., Eng, B., & Kassity-Krich, N. (2006). 24(1), 51-57.

[4] Western Journal of Nursing Research, McCabe, B. W., Baun, M. M., Speich, D., & Agrawal, S. (2002). 24(6), 684-696.

[5] International Psychogeriatrics/IPA. Filan, S. L., & Llewellyn-Jones, R. H. (2006). 18(4), 597-611.

[6] Psychosomatic Medicine, Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W. B. (2002). 64(5), 727-739.

[7] The Journals of Gerontology, Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. Banks, M. R., & Banks, W. A. (2002). 57(7), M428-M432.

[8] American Journal of Critical Care: An Official Publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Cole, K. M., Gawlinski, A., Steers, N., & Kotlerman, J. (2007). 16(6), 575-585; quiz 586; discussion 587-588.

[9] Western Journal of Nursing Research, McCabe, B. W., Baun, M. M., Speich, D., & Agrawal, S. (2002). 24(6), 684-696.

[10] "Effectiveness of Psychiatric Service Dogs in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Veterans," by Dr. James Gillett, Ph.D., McMaster University and Rachel Weldrick, BA, McMaster University.

[11] "The Use of Psychiatric Service Dogs in the Treatment of Veterans with PTSD," Craig Love Ph.D., US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, MD, 2009.

[12] Western Journal of Nursing Research, McCabe, B. W., Baun, M. M., Speich, D., & Agrawal, S. (2002). 24(6), 684-696.