Efficacy of Service Dogs with Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Community Reintegration
Event Type
Presentation
Start Date
12-1-2021 9:00 AM
End Date
12-1-2021 12:00 PM
Description
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if having a service dog is effective for improving community reintegration (social aspects, mental/physical health, safety, companionship, employment, quality of life) of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Methods: In this longitudinal pre-and post-treatment mixed-methods study, participants received a survey prior to receiving their service dog to obtain baseline data of various aspects of occupational engagement and reintegration into the community. After receiving their service dogs post surveys were completed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Quantitative results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared to the baseline to determine changes and qualitative data was used to determine common themes through content analysis.
Results: The study recruited 23 participants however, many participants did not provide multiple data sets impeding evaluation of the impact of a service dog over time for community reintegration. Data analysis was adjusted and organized according to trends of relevant responses over time. Qualitative data was analyzed and compared to trends as well.
Conclusion: The current researchers found a positive correlation between veterans and service dogs while reintegrating into the community. Service dogs provided the veterans with an increase in confidence, social participation, self-care, emotional regulation, comfortability while entering back into the community, and decreased levels of stress.
Recommended Citation
D'Amico, M., Cote, M. F., Gutierrez, M. L., Mayoz, W., McCarty, K. M., McLain, J. B., & Palm, E. K. (2021), Efficacy of Service Dogs with Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Community Reintegration, Presentation, Eighth Annual Research Colloquium, https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ot_colloquium/eighth/events/2
Efficacy of Service Dogs with Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Community Reintegration
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if having a service dog is effective for improving community reintegration (social aspects, mental/physical health, safety, companionship, employment, quality of life) of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Methods: In this longitudinal pre-and post-treatment mixed-methods study, participants received a survey prior to receiving their service dog to obtain baseline data of various aspects of occupational engagement and reintegration into the community. After receiving their service dogs post surveys were completed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Quantitative results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared to the baseline to determine changes and qualitative data was used to determine common themes through content analysis.
Results: The study recruited 23 participants however, many participants did not provide multiple data sets impeding evaluation of the impact of a service dog over time for community reintegration. Data analysis was adjusted and organized according to trends of relevant responses over time. Qualitative data was analyzed and compared to trends as well.
Conclusion: The current researchers found a positive correlation between veterans and service dogs while reintegrating into the community. Service dogs provided the veterans with an increase in confidence, social participation, self-care, emotional regulation, comfortability while entering back into the community, and decreased levels of stress.