Citation

Yarborough BJ, Owen-Smith AA, Stumbo SP, Yarborough MT, Perrin NA, Green CA. Psychiatr. Serv. 2017; 68(7): 730-734.

Affiliation

With 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.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/appi.ps.201500383

PMID

28292227

Abstract

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Military psychiatry; Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Veterans issues