Service Dogs for Veterans With PTSD

VA Office of Research and Development

Status

Terminated

Conditions

PTSD

Treatments

Other: Service Dogs

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT01329341

D8094-I

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate use of service dogs for individuals who have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Objectives include: (1) assess the impact service dogs have on the mental health and quality of life of Veterans; (2) to provide recommendations to the VA to serve as guidance in providing service dogs to Veterans; and (3) To determine cost associated with total health care utilization and mental health care utilization among Veterans with PTSD.

Enrollment

60 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age greater than or equal to 18 years
Referral from provider.
PTSD diagnosis
In active treatment for PTSD for at least three months at time of enrollment, with plans to remain in active treatment
Acceptance by the dog vendor for the service dog
Ability to adequately care for a dog - physically/financially
Able to travel to vendor for pairing with dog

Exclusion criteria

Been hospitalized for mental health reasons in the prior 6 months
Not living at the same residence for 6 months.
Diagnoses: Psychoses, Delusions, dementia, active alcohol/substance dependence. Moderate to severe TBI. Any other diagnosis deemed by PI to limit ability to participate or give informed consent
At time of enrollment - Active suicidal ideation, homicide, cognitive disabilities that would preclude safety of animal and ability needed for participation in the study.
Children under age 10 living in the home