June is PTSD Awareness Month, and there are several ways dogs can be involved with PTSD, including helping veterans and dogs themselves:
- Service dogs: A 2024 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that service dogs can help military veterans and members with PTSD by reducing the severity of symptoms, anxiety, and depression. The study compared 81 veterans who received service dogs with 75 veterans on a waiting list for a trained dog, and found that the veterans with dogs saw greater improvements on average after three months. Service dogs can be trained to recognize physical signs of distress and interrupt panic attacks and nightmares.
- Therapy dogs: Therapy dogs can help nursing home patients who are usually withdrawn, by increasing their movement and physical activity. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can also have other benefits, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and improving relaxation.
- Dogs with PTSD: Dogs can also develop PTSD, which can cause symptoms such as panic, panting, fearfulness, depression, and hypervigilance. Dogs with PTSD may also have frequent nightmares, which can make it difficult for them to sleep.
Anyone who has suffered trauma, large or small, can develop PTSD. Be aware, be considerate, and be kind to each other! ❤️