@article{ref1,
title="An observational study of service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder",
journal="Psychiatric services",
year="2017",
author="Yarborough, Bobbi Jo H. and Owen-Smith, Ashli A. and Stumbo, Scott P. and Yarborough, Micah T. and Perrin, Nancy A. and Green, Carla A.",
volume="68",
number="7",
pages="730-734",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: This study examined needs related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assistance by service dogs, and feasibility of data collection among veterans receiving service dogs. <br><br>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). <br><br>RESULTS: Veterans reported that the most important services performed were licking or nudging veterans to help them &quot;stay present,&quot; 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. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Service dogs may be feasible supports for veterans with PTSD; randomized clinical trials are needed to assess effectiveness.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1075-2730",
doi="10.1176/appi.ps.201500383",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500383"
}