Dog Ownership and Training Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Increases Self-Compassion Among Veterans: Results of a Longitudinal Control Study

Bergen‐Cico, Dessa; Smith, Yvonne; Wolford, Karen; Gooley, Collin; Hannon, Kathleen; Woodruff, Ryan; Spicer, Melissa; Gump, Brooks B.

doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0179

Cited by 39 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Similarly, interrupt/alert to anxiety was perceived as the second most important task (3.98 out of 5), the third most frequently used task (3.43 times a day) and helped the second most number of specific PTSD symptoms (6.80 out of 20 symptoms). These findings mirror qualitative reports suggesting that these anxiety-reducing service dog behaviors are valued by veterans for reducing hypervigilance and coping with re-experiencing episodes ( Vincent et al, 2017a ; Yarborough et al, 2017 ; Bergen-Cico et al, 2018 ; Crowe et al, 2018 ; Krause-Parello and Morales, 2018 ). For example, in a 2017 qualitative study of the benefits of psychiatric service dogs, veterans described how the “nudging” behavior from their service dogs during a flashback episode served to help their PTSD by interrupting the distress, “grounding” the veteran, and reminding the veteran to stay in the present ( Yarborough et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…Cross-sectional studies suggest that compared to receiving usual care while on the waitlist, having a PTSD service dog is associated with lower PTSD symptoms, better quality of life, and better social functioning in addition to more regulated production of the stress hormone cortisol ( Yarborough et al, 2017 ; O’Haire and Rodriguez, 2018 ; Rodriguez et al, 2018 ). Similarly, longitudinal studies have found that after receiving a PTSD service dog, veterans self-report significant improvements to PTSD symptoms in addition to secondary outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and quality of life ( Kloep, 2016 ; Bergen-Cico et al, 2018 ; Whitworth et al, 2019 ). This emerging literature base is complemented by qualitative reports suggesting that PTSD service dogs can provide significant social and emotional support, reduce stress, and improve veterans’ overall quality of life ( Taylor et al, 2013 ; Yount et al, 2013 ; Krause-Parello and Morales, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans

et al. 2020

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Research suggests that psychiatric service dogs may be an effective complementary treatment option for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although this practice continues to increase in popularity and research has reached the rigor of clinical trials, the components of the PTSD service dog intervention remain largely undefined. This research aimed to (1) quantify the importance, usage, and PTSD symptom specificity of service dog trained and untrained behaviors, (2) explore how PTSD severity, time since receiving the service dog, and the veteran-dog relationship relate to outcomes, and (3) compare expectations of veterans on the waitlist to experiences of veterans with service dogs. In a cross-sectional design, 217 post-9/11 military veterans with PTSD were recruited from a national service dog provider, including n = 134 with a service dog and n = 83 on the waitlist. Results showed that the service dog’s trained tasks of calming and interrupting anxiety were perceived as the most important for veterans’ PTSD, the most frequently used in a typical day, and as helping the most PTSD symptoms. Trained tasks were most helpful to the PTSD symptoms of hypervigilance and intrusion, and least helpful toward the symptoms of amnesia and risk-taking. Although all trained tasks were helpful toward PTSD symptoms, veterans rated the service dog’s untrained behaviors on average as more important for their PTSD. After controlling for covariates, there was no relationship between a veteran’s PTSD severity and perceived importance or frequency of task use. However, veterans who reported feeling closer to their service dogs reported using trained tasks more often, and veterans who had their service dogs for longer reported using trained tasks less often. Finally, veterans on the waitlist reported higher expectations regarding task use and importance than described by veterans with a service dog. In conclusion, findings describe the core components of the PTSD service dog intervention by quantifying the use and value of trained and untrained dog behaviors. Overall, this study helps explain the PTSD service dog’s clinically relevant value while contributing to the scientific understanding of this emerging practice.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans

et al. 2020

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“…Twenty studies used nonclinical samples recruited via university advertising or online, 14 of which specified trauma exposure as a requirement for participation. The 15 remaining studies reported on clinical samples; war veterans ( n = 8; Bergen‐Cico et al, ; Dahm et al, ; Held & Owens, ; Hiraoka et al, ; Kearney, McManus, Martinez, Felleman, & Simpson, ; Lang et al, ; Meyer et al, , ), adults with PTSD recruited from PTSD or trauma‐specific outpatient settings ( n = 3; Hoffart et al, ; Karatzias et al, ; Müller‐Engelmann et al, ), adults with PTSD recruited from outpatient settings ( n = 2; Beaumont, Galpin, & Jenkins, ; Scoglio et al, ), firemen with PTSD ( n = 1; Beaumont, Durkin, McAndrew, & Martin, ), and individuals in substance abuse treatment ( n = 1; Held, Owens, Thomas, White, & Anderson, ). Twenty‐four included studies employed a cross‐sectional design, and 11 studies were experimental.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding alternative studies, one study compared three trauma processing conditions (analytic, experiential, and control) and found no group difference; however, higher self‐kindness and mindfulness was associated with decreased PTSD symptoms for all conditions (Valdez & Lilly, ). Last, a therapeutic dog ownership and training programme was found to reduce PTSD symptoms and increase self‐compassion compared with waitlisted controls (Bergen‐Cico et al, ). Both studies that utilized a follow‐up timepoint found that gains were maintained (2‐ and 4‐week follow‐up; Au et al, ; 3‐month follow‐up; Kearney et al, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This will better inform the nature of the association between these constructs of interest. In addition, the inclusion of waitlisted controls as utilized in the alternative intervention with a therapeutic dog ownership and training programme (Bergen‐Cico et al, ) would improve experimental rigour. Notably, this intervention was found to reduce PTSD symptoms and increase self‐compassion compared with waitlisted controls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self‐compassion, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review

Winders

Murphy

Looney

et al. 2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

109

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Self-compassion has emerged as an important construct in the mental health literature. Although conceptual links between self-compassion and trauma are apparent, a review has not been completed to examine whether this association is supported by empirical research findings. To systematically summarize knowledge on the association between trauma and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-compassion. Searches were conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed, Ovid Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and PILOTS databases, and papers reporting a direct analysis on the relationship between these constructs were identified. The search yielded 35 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Despite considerable heterogeneity in study design, sample, measurement, and trauma type, there was consistent evidence to suggest that increased self-compassion is associated with less PTSD symptomatology and some evidence to suggest that reduced fear of self-compassion is associated with less PTSD symptomatology. There was tentative evidence to suggest that interventions based, in part or whole, on a self-compassion model potentially reduce PTSD symptoms. Although findings are positive for the association between increased selfcompassion and reduced PTSD symptoms, the precise mechanism of these protective effects is unknown. Prospective and longitudinal studies would be beneficial in clarifying this. The review also highlighted the variability in what is and should be referred to as trauma exposure, indicating the need for further research to clarify the concept. K E Y W O R D Sself-compassion, fear of self-compassion, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, review

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Dog ownership and mental health among community‐dwelling older adults: A systematic review

Maurice¹,

Engels

Canouï‐Poitrine

et al. 2022

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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Background The population is ageing, and psychiatric disorders are common in older people. Those are associated with worsened quality of life. Although the positive relationship between dog ownership and physical health has been documented, data on mental health are scarcer, especially in community‐dwelling older adults. Objective We sought to establish whether owning a dog was associated with a lower number of symptoms of psychological disorders in community‐dwelling older adults. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature published between January 2005 and December 2020. We analysed comparative studies of the level of insomnia and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety among community‐dwelling dog owners aged 70 and over. Results The search identified 191 articles, of which 117 full texts were assessed for eligibility. Five cross‐sectional studies and one before‐after with control group study (assessing a total of 25,138 older adults) were included. The mean (range) NOS score (five studies) was 6.8/9 (5–9) and the EPOC score (one study) was 2/8. The association between the presence of a dog and depressive symptoms did not appear to be significant. Regular contact with a dog was associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety. None of the studies specifically examined sleep disorders. Conclusions Although the presence of a dog did not appear to be related to the level of depressive symptoms among community‐dwelling older adults, there might be a beneficial relationship with anxiety. Further investigation is needed ‐ especially with regard to the type of dog and the type of relationship with the dog.

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Dog Ownership and Training Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Increases Self-Compassion Among Veterans: Results of a Longitudinal Control Study

Cited by 39 publications

References 37 publications

Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans

Defining the PTSD Service Dog Intervention: Perceived Importance, Usage, and Symptom Specificity of Psychiatric Service Dogs for Military Veterans

Self‐compassion, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review

Dog ownership and mental health among community‐dwelling older adults: A systematic review

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