title: An Observational Study of Service Dogs for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined needs related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assistance by service dogs, and feasibility of data collection among veterans receiving service dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires assessed PTSD-related needs and services performed or expected to be performed by service dogs among 78 veterans who had or were on a wait list for a service dog (average age, 42; women, 31%). Analyses compared pre-post characteristics among 22 veterans who received a service dog as part of the study (91% follow-up; average follow-up=3.37±2.57 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Veterans reported that the most important services performed were licking or nudging veterans to help them "stay present," preventing panic, and putting space between veterans and strangers. High follow-up rates and improvements in outcomes with moderate to large effect sizes among recipients of study-provided dogs suggest further study is warranted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Service dogs may be feasible supports for veterans with PTSD; randomized clinical trials are needed to assess effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Bobbi Jo H
authors.initials: BJH
authors.lastname: Yarborough
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Ashli A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Owen-Smith
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stumbo
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Micah T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yarborough
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.affiliation: With the exception of Dr. Owen-Smith, the authors are with the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon (e-mail: bobbijo.h.yarborough@kpchr.org ). Dr. Owen-Smith is with the School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta.
authors.forename: Carla A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Military psychiatry; Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Veterans issues