NCT01729026

A Study of Dog Adoption in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A Study of Dog Adoption in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Phase: EARLY_Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 19 (actual)
• Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary data on the feasibility and impact of adopting a dog from an animal shelter as a supplement to usual care in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who desire to get such a pet.

Detailed description

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, a common mental disorder among Veterans, is marked by painful re-experiencing of a traumatic event, often together with depression, fearfulness, and social isolation. Despite major advances in rehabilitation, many Veterans continue to be disabled by PTSD. One possible new approach involves the use of shelter dogs, which might relieve symptoms and aid reintegration into society by providing emotional support and a greater sense of security. In this randomized controlled trial of 48 Veterans with chronic PTSD, we will evaluate whether the half who adopt a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society show greater improvement in their PTSD symptoms over the first three months than the half who are assigned to a waiting list.

Conditions

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Shelter Dog Adoption	Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-10-01
• Primary completion: 2014-12-01
• Completion: 2015-03-01
• First posted: 2012-11-20
• Last updated: 2020-06-02
• Results posted: 2016-04-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States