United States – In the latest study that appeared in the JAMA Network Open on June 4, a clear indication has been found that the military veterans who have a service dog are 66% less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than their counterparts without these special dogs. Indeed, this chapter reveals the tradition of the study for the first time and shows how draft service dogs affect the psychological well-being of veterans, as reported by HealthDay.
Mental Health Benefits of Service Dogs
The study also found that veterans who had a service dog reported decremented symptoms of anxiety and depression. It may also be observed that there were positive changes observed in most aspects of their emotional and social well-being. Source: University of Arizona This research builds on the previous studies done for almost a decade showing that service dogs can help many veterans with PTSD and other invisible wounds sustain improvement, said Maggie O’Haire, the lead researcher, and the associate dean for research of the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine.
Addressing Veteran Suicide and PTSD
The study followed more than 150 veterans over three months after adopting their K9s For Warriors dogs; The largest service provider in the US today; Some of these dogs are rescues; After six months of training, the warrior gets a free service dog. Kevin Steele, the Chief Program Officer at K9s For Warriors, explained that service dogs save lives and enable veterans to reestablish their connection with families and society.
Experts note that about one veteran dies by suicide daily, and over 1 million veterans suffer from PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or military sexual trauma. The study’s findings highlight the crucial role of service dogs in mitigating these issues. “The outcomes of this study validate what we do here at K9s For Warriors,” Steele stated, reinforcing the effectiveness of their program, as reported by HealthDay.