TY - JOUR
T1 - An observational study of service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder
AU - Yarborough, Bobbi Jo H.
AU - Owen-Smith, Ashli A.
AU - Stumbo, Scott P.
AU - Yarborough, Micah T.
AU - Perrin, Nancy A.
AU - Green, Carla A.
PY - 2017/7/1
Y1 - 2017/7/1
N2 - 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-up53.3762.57 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.
AB - 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-up53.3762.57 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.
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U2 - 10.1176/appi.ps.201500383
DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.201500383
M3 - Article
C2 - 28292227
AN - SCOPUS:85021799847
VL - 68
SP - 730
EP - 734
JO - Hospital and Community Psychiatry
JF - Hospital and Community Psychiatry
SN - 1075-2730
IS - 7
ER -