How Puppy Love Empowers Veterans

Cheryl A. Krause-Parello professor,
I-Health fellow, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, director of Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.)

Beth Pratt, Ph.D.
assistant professor, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, associate investigator of Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.)

S. Juliana Moreno,
research assistant, Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-P.A.W.W.)

David Hibler, MS,
U.S. Army Veteran, Combat Medic, Sergeant (E-5), Ohio State University, Doctorate student

Are there certain types of breeds that have performed better for veterans with PTSD?

Although some organizations prefer to use specific breeds to train service dogs for veterans with PTSD, we are not currently aware of any evidence that specifically states whether certain types of breeds perform better as service dogs. With the right training and temperament, any dog breed is capable of becoming a service dog.

Does C-PAWW provide dogs for veterans?

Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-PAWW) is a health research initiative for veterans aimed at advancing the standards of care for our military veterans through the use of interdisciplinary research, education and evidence-based and restorative interventions. While we support the use of dogs to help promote the health and well-being for veterans, we do not train or provide dogs for veterans.

Do you ever do webinars for veterans who want to learn more about how a service dog could help them and how to apply to an ADI org, or owner training?

With new research coming out, will dog used for PTSD be seen as essential to the veteran well-being. They are too often referred to as emotional support dogs which I think does not cover the scope of what PTSD trained dogs do. Will your research aid in accepting PTSD dogs as service dogs?

We cannot conclude or state that dogs used for PTSD can be considered essential to the well-being of veterans. However, we are hopeful that service dogs – including psychiatric service dogs – can be recognized as a significant and positive influence on the health and well-being of veterans. It is our goal that with enough empirical evidence psychiatric service dogs will become a reimbursable medical expense. However, more evidence is needed to change public policy.

Has there been any research done if a veteran having a dog with them in combat reduces PTSD?

How can I provide information about our Service Dog for Veterans organization in South Carolina to C-PAWW?