Military veterans and canine assistance for post-traumatic stress disorder: A narrative review of the literature
Abstract
Background Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a vulnerable population at high risk for depression, isolation, and suicide. A substantial body of anecdotal evidence exists supporting the use of canines as an effective adjunct treatment for this population. However, a comprehensive review of its use based on scientific literature has thus far not been conducted. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted to examine the current state of the science on canine assistance for veterans diagnosed with PTSD in order to synthesize current empirical knowledge on the subject. Articles were retrieved among the small body of recent literature using computerized database searches. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed journal publications published through October 1st, 2015. Only originally published articles that examined the outcomes of canine assistance on veterans with PTSD were examined. Additionally, each included article was specific to veterans, dogs, and, PTSD in combination rather than article that discuss the concepts separately. Exclusion criteria included symposia and conference material, dissertations, media articles, and no mention of canines as a treatment modality. 563 articles were retrieved; 6 met the criteria. When evaluating data, information and themes were extracted into an Excel table; this table was employed in the synthesis of information into manuscript form. Results The following themes were explored within the selected publications: What is Canine Assistance; Why Use Canine Assistance for PTSD in Veterans; Concerns; and Future Directions. The literature endorsed canine assistance for PTSD in veterans as a promising modality. Authors also raised concerns about lack of protocols, cost and availability barriers, and animal welfare calling for additional, rigorous research to advance its use as a treatment for veterans with PTSD. Conclusions PTSD continues to pose significant psychological, health, and welfare challenges to veterans and the multi-disciplinary providers who treat them. Analysis of this literature should expand knowledge and outline future directions for healthcare professions and improve health and wellness for veterans with PTSD through the use of canine assistance.
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Animal-assisted interventions were effective in improving the state of children or adults with or at risk of developing mental disorders such as ADHD, PTSD, or ASD, and for the treatment of PTSD in military veterans.
“Such interventions were effective in improving the state of children or adults with or at risk of developing mental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [38,39,40], and for the treatment of PTSD in military veterans [41,42].”
From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [41]
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“…cutoff on the PCL. Results of several studies suggest that animal-assisted activities provide benefits to individuals with PTSD (Miele, 2016; Krause-Parello, Sarni, and Padden, 2016; Kloep, Hunter, and Kertz, 2017); however, others have found little benefit (Kegel, 2016), or no benefits in…”
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“Veterans depict increased community engagement, social connectedness, and personal confidence as a result of the canine companionship.(9,10) Veterans with service dogs often speak of the ways the dog’s presence transformed their lives and many speak of the dog literally saving their lives.”
Background
- Authors
- Krause-Parello, C. A., Sarni, S., & Padden, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
- ORCID
- Padden, Eleni
- Venue
- Nurse Education Today
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-12
- Volume
- 47
- Pages
- 43-50
- ISSN
- 0260-6917 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2346622520
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 0.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nurse Education Today (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Education › Education and Military Integration
- Keywords
- post-traumatic stress disorder, military veterans, service dogs, animal-assisted therapy, adjunct treatment, animal welfare, barriers to treatment, cost and availability
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Dogs, Female, Disabled Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Humans, Male, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Veterans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy
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