@article{eeaf894e0f2342c688eccdfe46280316,
title = "Adopting a Companion Dog Helps Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Pilot Randomized Trial",
abstract = "Despite significant treatment advances, many military veterans continue to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated symptoms, suggesting a need for new interventions. This pilot trial examined the change in psychological symptoms of 19 veterans in treatment for PTSD who were randomized either to adopt a dog immediately from a Humane Society shelter (n = 9) or to a three-month waitlist followed by dog adoption (n = 10). The dogs were companion dogs, not service animals. The investigators analyzed quantitative assessments using mixed regression models with repeated measures. All veterans also participated in periodic semi-structured interviews. The study results showed companion dog adoption to be a feasible adjunctive intervention that helped improve PTSD and depressive symptoms for most participants. These findings suggest that this is a promising approach that is worthy of further study.",
keywords = "animal-assisted therapy, dog, nonhuman animal, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), veteran",
author = "{STRONG STAR Consortium} and Stern, {Stephen L} and {Finley Garcia}, Erin and Jim Mintz and Jeffreys, {Matthew D.} and Beaver, {Bonnie V.} and Copeland, {Laurel A.} and Seawell, {Mistie D.} and Bridgeman, {Courtney H.} and Hamilton, {Alison B.} and Mata-Galan, {Emma L.} and Stacey Young-Mccaughan and Hatch, {John P.} and Allegretti, {Ana Luiza C.} and Hale, {Willie J.} and Peterson, {Alan L}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was made possible by Merit Review Pilot Award D-0809-P to Dr. Stern from the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, which also provided helpful advice on the design and conduct of the study. A full copy of the protocol can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01729026). The authors gratefully acknowledge the help of Sybil Allison, D. Allen Donahue, Xueying Li, Annette Martinez, Sara Stamets, Casey Straud, and Virginia Tovar, as well as the support of the STRONG STAR Consortium, the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the San Antonio Humane Society, and the Veterinary Clinics of America, who provided care for the dogs during the study. The authors also very much appreciate the help of Jose Lara-Ruiz for his assistance in preparing the manuscript and Julie Collins, Joel Williams, and Phyllis Stern for their editing of this manuscript. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the Disabled Americans Veterans Charitable Service Trust for funding a preliminary study that greatly facilitated the current research. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} STEPHEN L. S TERN et al., 2022.",
year = "2022",
doi = "10.1163/15685306-bja10089",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "38",
pages = "1--24",
journal = "Society and Animals",
issn = "1063-1119",
publisher = "Brill",
number = "4",
}