MedTrace Logo

Service Dog Training Program for Military Veterans With PTSD

NCT03777020 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2024-07-26

Study results available
· View outcomes & findings →

Summary

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an invisible wound of war, affects approximately 20%1 of the 18.5 million U.S. veterans and places them at higher risk for impaired biopsychosocial functioning. PTSD symptom severity (PTSDSS) is significantly correlated with stress and psychosocial consequences of inability to regulate emotions, control impulsive behaviors, and function within family and society. Alarming veteran PTSD rates and its insidious effects demand empirically validated treatment programs. More than a million veterans receive new diagnoses of each year. VA PTSD therapy programs reach only 1% of veterans. Nearly 35% of veterans do not respond to widely used psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatments. Training a service dog (SD) is a novel rehabilitative animal-assisted intervention that shows promise in other populations. This project evaluates the efficacy of a service dog training program (SDTP) as an alternative and adjunctive treatment and rehabilitative option for veterans with PTSD.

Conditions

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Service Dog Training Program

Participate in 8 weekly dog training sessions using a positive reinforcement method and curriculum under the direct supervision of trainer at the Warrior Canine Connection facility in Boyds (Montgomery County) MD.

OTHER

Dog Training Education

Learn about training dogs by watching 8 weekly dog training online modules programs at the Warrior Canine Connection facility in Boyds (Montgomery County) MD. After completing this education the participants will participate in the service dog training program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Erika Friedmann, PhD · University of Maryland, Baltimore

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2019-08-22
Primary Completion
2023-02-28
Completion
2023-02-28

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03777020 on ClinicalTrials.gov