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June 11, 2024
Carly Kramer
K9s For Warriors
Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsem*nt of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.
The first National Institutes of Health-fundedclinical trial of its kind, published in JAMA Network Open, links the pairing of service dogs with military Veterans to lowered PTSD severity, diagnosis odds, and other negative mental health symptoms. The study, released in time for National PTSD Awareness Month in June, is also the largest national study to datecomparing Veterans and service dog teams to usual care alone for PTSD-afflicted Veterans.
Led by Dr. Maggie O’Haire from theUniversity of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicinein partnership withK9s For Warriors, the study examined more than 150 military Veterans over three months through self-reported symptoms and expert clinician assessment. The study analyzed measurable PTSD symptoms, as well as psychosocial functioning.
The results revealed that Veterans with service dogs had 66% lower odds of a PTSD diagnosis based on expert clinician assessment when compared to a wait-listed control group. Veterans also experiencedlower anxiety and depression levels and improvements in most areas of emotional and social well-being.
“This research reinforces what we have been studying for almost a decade—that service dogs are linked to significant benefits for many Veterans suffering from PTSD and other invisible wounds of war,” said Dr. O’Haire, associate dean for Research and professor at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, where she runs the OHAIRE Lab. “Service dogs are more than pets—they can be essential partners in helping Veterans readjust and thrive after they return from service.”
The study is the first such study to utilize gold-standard, blinded clinician ratings of PTSD to measure outcomes.
About K9s For Warriors
K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military Veterans suffering from invisible wounds of war. The national non-profit pairs highly trained service dogs with Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma—all at no cost to the Veteran.
K9s For Warriors has paired more than 1,000 Veterans with service dogs, saving countless Veteran and rescue dog lives. The K9s For Warriors program is backed by scientific research, with the most recent study being published inJAMA Network Openon June 4, 2024.
With the majority of dogs being rescues, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. To learn more about K9s For Warriors, visit k9sforwarriors.org.
Topics in this story
Mental HealthPTSD
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20 Comments
Bradley SchlieperJune 13, 2024 at 14:56 - Reply
Veteran owned Absolute K9’s, LLC has been providing well bred Dobermans and occasionally a German shepherd for Veterans, First Responders and civilians suffering from trauma.
Julie HartJune 13, 2024 at 10:35 - Reply
How can I get a service dog? I’m near Louisville, KY
Johnny JacksonJune 13, 2024 at 10:22 - Reply
I am a Vietnam Veteran I got ptsd bad how can I get a service dog for my PTSD
Ronnie AustinJune 13, 2024 at 15:11 - Reply
Love to get more information
Fletcher knox RhyanJune 13, 2024 at 20:00 - Reply
How can I get a service
CrisJune 13, 2024 at 09:03 - Reply
Thank you for the great article on K9s for Warriors.
ChristineJune 13, 2024 at 09:01 - Reply
I have been blessed with a savior and the love of my life, Hope. She came into my life because of the wonderful (no word can express) staff, trainers, and the great vision of one woman’s desire to mitigate the suffering of many of us veterans. I experienced much financial the last two years as well as dealing with the unwanted souvenirs of war and being quite depressed, almost talked myself into backing out of the program. My therapist and psychiatrist counseled me and helped me to get on track and I am so fortunate they did. Hope wakes me at 4 am to take my medication, she helps me to get up from the floor or from kneeling, she has my back while shopping, she steadies me when I become wobbly, she wakes me from nightmares and grounds me by laying her elbows upon my legs. She is my help mate and stops me from tripping. I do not have enough room to sing all this battle buddy’s praises . The folks at K9s for Warriors made my life worth living again because of their love of dogs and veterans and the program that they devised to help both. A big shout out also for K9s veterinary staff. Hope was eager to see them and enjoyed her exam. VA needs to get more involved with the “dog effort,” as a medical tool. They are great mobility assistants and their feelings of what is happening to the handler with PTSD and/or MST is uncanny. VA needs to make the process of obtaining canine health insurance not so cumbersome and intriguing. I highly recommend K9s for Warriors
Hal BurkeJune 13, 2024 at 08:55 - Reply
How do I get in touch with these folks?
DAN WILKEJune 13, 2024 at 08:29 - Reply
I am a veteran, US Navy, and I live in Marion, IL close to a VA hospital. I would love to help support this service dog project. Being a business owner in the local area I regret that I do not have much free time to offer, but I would like to make some type of monetary donation towards this very wonderful cause. If someone could share some contact information, I would truly appreciate it. Dogs are a blessing from above. God bless our Veterans and God Bless this great United States of America.
John CrankshawJune 13, 2024 at 11:19 - Reply
Hey, my name is John and 100% disabled with PTSD with a TBI I am currently in a treatment facility in Houston Tx with the Tunnels to Towers Fondation… Great Place recieved life saving treatment here and I am eternally grateful and in there debt. I got a letter from my mental health provider from the VA and would like to get a service dog, but struggle with the mental fortitude to get results. There is a lot frustrating obstacles getting with a place to get a k9. I’m seeking guidance to getting one any help would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me anytime at the email provided with any help you are willing to give. Thank you
Michael WarrenJune 13, 2024 at 04:38 - Reply
How can I fine out where to obtain a service dog?
James YoungJune 13, 2024 at 01:06 - Reply
I’ve found little if any help with my PTSD and if anything just the opposite. I’ve felt nothing but becoming a target and victimized. I also looked into and paid to have my dog trained and got ripped off. And I’ve found out that not having my dog trained or certified it has done nothing but make it more difficult to get help. And what I read and see are two different things.
Michael GrantJune 12, 2024 at 21:30 - Reply
Many years ago I trained and used Bernese Mountain Dogs for off-road/mountain search and rescue. I lost mine to bone cancer many years ago. I still grieve that loss. If I supplied a Berner, what requirements would I need to meet? And get him/her back. I now have PTSD issues, and working toward the disability rating.
Brian D BennJune 12, 2024 at 21:18 - Reply
I had sexual trauma I am interested in this service dog treatment. For my Anxiety and my depression. How would I apply. Do they get along with another dog?
ROSS HIGGINSJune 12, 2024 at 20:56 - Reply
WHY WIL THE VA NOT RECOGNIZE. MY DOBERMAN THAT I TRAINED AS A SERVICE DOG FOR MY PTSD?…..
DURING MY LIFETIME I’V TRAINED MANY DOGD FOR OBEDIENCE, K9 WORK AND AS SEERVIC DOPGS FOR FRIENDS……..
THE VA ONLY RECOGNIZES DOGS TRAINED BY GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND AND ANOTHER GROUP THE NAME OF WHICH SLIPS. MY MIND…..
I’M 87 YEARS OLD AND SUFFER WITH PTSD AMONG OTHER THINGS…….
MY DOG PICKS UP ANYTHING I DROP, BRING ME SHOES, PUTS MY DIRTY CLOTHES IN THE LAUNDRY BASKET, IS EITYH ME IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS AND LOVES PEOPLE IF THEY WANT TO PET HER……..
I BELIEVE THAT THE VA IS WRONG IN ONLY ALLOWING DOGS TRIND BY THOSE TWO GROUPS TO BE ACCPETED AS SERVICE DOGS BY THE VA!!!!!!
IT WOULD BE OF GREAT BELEFIT TO ME IF THE V WOUL BURDEN SOME OF THE EXPENSE OF HER FOOD, VET BILLS, ETC………
THE VA IS SO BIASED TOWARD THOSE TWO GROUPS THA T I AM THINKING THRE MUSRT BE SOME “UNDE
R-THE-TABLE FUNDS” CHANGING HANDS!!!!!!!…..
I’VE TRIED, SEVREAL TIMES TO GET THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT MY 4 YEAR OLD DOG, AND TWO OF MY PRVIOUS DOGS, AS SEVICE DOGS TO NO AVAIL!!!!!!!!….
I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!John ParsonsJune 14, 2024 at 07:56 - Reply
Hi Ross,
The other organization is Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
The only way VA Prosthetics is going to change is through legislative action that requires them to recognize owner trained service dogs. The current law says they ‘may” provide benefits. The VA has chosen to interpret that as meaning they are not required to do so. Contact your Congressional representative and Senators and some VSOs and tell them to get the ball rolling.
Dail w SullivanJune 12, 2024 at 19:58 - Reply
How can I get my dog as my companion, I have been diagnosed as a PTSD
Daniel Lee SmallsJune 12, 2024 at 19:11 - Reply
My dog is 5 years old and has a mind of her own, can she be trained as a service dog and if so what the cost for I do not know if I fit in the se rvice category
Tom LordJune 12, 2024 at 10:28 - Reply
I aggree… the Question is how can I “additonally” train my new dog as a PTSD dog?
He already can pull my wheelchair, alerts me when I have problems etc..
I’m in Germany…who can auth me the dog as my svc dog (100% T&P from MAC)ty
Nealy & DianaJune 11, 2024 at 16:21 - Reply
Another great article…could definitely help Veterans get into another mindset
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