Military Veterans and Their PTSD Service Dogs: Associations Between Training Methods, PTSD Severity, Dog Behavior, and the Human-Animal Bond

Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Megan R LaFolletteMarguerite E O'Haire

Abstract

Introduction: Psychiatric service dogs are increasingly being sought out by military veterans as a complementary intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 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 (M = 40.1 ± 8.3 years, 80% male) 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 (66% male) and mostly obtained from shelters or rescues (58%). Training methods were divided into five categories: positive reinforcement (e.g., physical praise), negative punishment (e.g., ignoring the dog), positive punishment (e.g., verbal correction), dominance (e.g., alpha roll), and bond-based (e.g., co-sleeping). Data were analyzed using general linear mod...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 29, 2020·Animal Cognition·Emily E BrayEvan L MacLean
Feb 2, 2021·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Kerri E RodriguezNancy R Gee
Jul 3, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Sara C Owczarczak-GarsteckaCarri Westgarth

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Software Mentioned

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences ( SPSS

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