Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder: A narrative review of the literature

Krause‐Parello, Cheryl A.; Sarni, Sarah; Padden, Eleni

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2016.04.020

Cited by 43 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…depression and substance use disorders) and to improve functioning (even if not eliminating symptoms entirely) may open the door for novel clinical approaches. For example, the use of support dogs may improve functioning and reduce disability by enabling someone with traumatic stress to enjoy greater societal participation – even if symptoms are not completely alleviated (Krause-Parello, Sami, & Padden, 2016). At the relationship level, there is evidence that training foster parents of children with significant psychological problems resulting from trauma exposure may help to prevent the development of additional problems (Leve et al, 2012).…”

Section: Public Health Model Of Traumatic Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma is a public health issue

Magruder

McLaughlin

Borbon

2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

194

134

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Exposure to trauma is pervasive in societies worldwide and is associated with substantial costs to the individual and society, making it a significant global public health concern. We present evidence for trauma as a public health issue by highlighting the role of characteristics operating at multiple levels of influence – individual, relationship, community, and society – as explanatory factors in both the occurrence of trauma and its sequelae. Within the context of this multi-level framework, we highlight targets for prevention of trauma and its downstream consequences and provide examples of where public health approaches to prevention have met with success. Finally, we describe the essential role of public health policies in addressing trauma as a global public health issue, including key challenges for global mental health and next steps for developing and implementing a trauma-informed public health policy agenda. A public health framework is critical for understanding risk and protective factors for trauma and its aftermath operating at multiple levels of influence and generating opportunities for prevention.

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Section: Public Health Model Of Traumatic Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma is a public health issue

Magruder

McLaughlin

Borbon

2017

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

194

134

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“…In some of the existing research, Krause-Parello et al [10] only found 3 empirical studies from a narrative review on Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, those studies did not address the use of PSD, but companion dog and canine.…”

Section: Actual Scientific Evidence Concerning Psdmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the limits of recognized treatments for PTSD, some began to consider that service animals (such as psychiatric service dogs) may be a way forward for improving the quality of life of persons with PTSD in addition to psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, although this remains to be verified empirically. Yount et al [9] and Krause-Parello et al [10] highlight this scientific gap. Unfortunately, there is no recognized guideline recommending the specific attributes of psychiatric service dogs (PSD).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Logic Model as the Sequence of Needs and Experience that Lead PTSD Patients to Seek a Service Dog and Concerns Related to It: A Stakeholders Perspective

Vincent¹,

Belleville²,

Gagnon³

et al. 2017

Int J Neurorehabilitation Eng

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Health professionals are hesitant to recommend psychiatric service dogs (PSD) to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder given that there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. In recent years, new dog training schools for PSD have emerged in the community with different approaches. The objective of this study is to propose a logic model that examines how service dogs assist veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and that shows concerns related to PSD. A participatory design through a consultation with stakeholders across Canada was realized (dog trainers=12, veterans having a PSD=2, veterans from advocate organizations=4, medical doctors=3, Canadian general standard board=1). They were interviewed in February 2015 via a phone qualitative interview. Questions were about tasks for which the dog should be trained to help the veteran, disadvantages, difficulties and concerns related to having a PSD, promotion and standardization of PSD, difficulties regarding the evaluation process, dog allocation and follow-up/abandonment of the dog. A qualitative thematic content analysis was achieved with the interview's materiel. A logic model was created to classify the theory related to diagnosis and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder as well as the results of the consultation (n=30 themes). These included 4 dog roles (detection and intervention when the veteran is anxious, contributing to a feeling of safety, promoting a sense of relaxation, socialisation), 2 potential major undesirable events with the PSD, 9 potential effects of the PSD, 3 potential organizational impacts of the service dog and 12 co-factors affecting the accessibility and efficacy of the intervention with PSD. Some themes contradict the legal acceptance in the literature. Testimonies about the reported efficacy of PSD are enthusiastic compared to what was found in the literature. Future research is needed to validate how and when PSD's roles and task make the differences in everyday life of the veterans with PSTD.

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“…Tedeschi et al and Krause-Parello, Sami, and Padden [20,40] have previously noted concerns that safety and animal welfare may not be adequately taken into consideration when the use of therapy and service animals expands into new fields, such as mental illnesses, including PTSD as in the present case study. There is also a lack of awareness of the need to integrate psychologically impactful interventions, including service dogs, with other interventions that are provided to support the same people by different means.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Therefore, being with an animal may be a salient feature to reduce anxious arousal [19]. A recent review by Krause-Parello, Sarni, and Padden found canine assistance for PTSD in veterans to be a promising modality [20]. However, the authors raise concerns about lack of protocols, cost, availability barriers, and animal welfare, and call for additional, rigorous research to advance its use as a treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Are Service Dogs for Adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Integrated with Rehabilitation in Denmark? A Case Study

Glintborg

Hansen

2017

Animals

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Simple SummaryThe use of service dogs for adults with mental illnesses has become generally accepted. With reference to a single case study of a client with Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), this study illustrates some of the potential advantages, but also note an important concern that appears to have gone unnoticed. The provision of service animals/therapy animals for adults with mental illnesses must be sufficiently informed by relevant knowledge and integrated with concurrent rehabilitation efforts. When it is not, it may contradict existing evidence-based treatments or unintentionally worsen conditions such as anxiety. This study argues that integration is possible and greater coordination efforts should be made.AbstractA severe mental illness like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is known to have psychosocial consequences that can lead to a decreased quality of life. Research in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) has revealed that the presence of a dog can have a positive effect on health, e.g., increase quality of life and lessen depression and anxiety. However, canine companionship is not a catch-all solution. Previous research has revealed methodological limitations that prohibit any clear conclusions, as well as a sparsity of critical reflection in anecdotal reports and case studies, which means that more research is needed to contextualize the findings. There has been an increasing interest in animal-assisted intervention in Denmark in recent years. Previously, authorities could only grant service dogs to adults with physical disabilities, but now this has been extended to adults with mental illnesses. Therefore, it has become important to explore how these service dogs are incorporated into rehabilitation practices in mental health, and how rehabilitation professionals react to the use of service dogs. This paper is a case study of a person who suffers from PTSD. This study examines how the person describes the significance of having a dog during her rehabilitation process, and how this is integrated with existing rehabilitation. The case study has been developed based on a semi-structured interview. A Thematic Content analysis was used to reveal dominant patterns and categories. This study revealed a lack of communication and collaboration between public administration (social service), service dog providers, health rehabilitation services, and providers of psychological treatment. It also revealed limited access for the dog to public services, limited success in incorporating the dog into goal-directed treatment and rehabilitation procedures, a strongly felt emotional support from the dog, and a perceived stigma by having the dog wearing a vest with he words “mentally ill” printed on it.

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Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder: A narrative review of the literature

Cited by 43 publications

References 24 publications

Trauma is a public health issue

Trauma is a public health issue

A Logic Model as the Sequence of Needs and Experience that Lead PTSD Patients to Seek a Service Dog and Concerns Related to It: A Stakeholders Perspective

How Are Service Dogs for Adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Integrated with Rehabilitation in Denmark? A Case Study

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