Skip to main content

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) for PTSD

11/03/2020
Haley Etheridge, OTD, OTR/L
A closeup of a person and their hands hugging a boxer; the feeling is one of sadness and comfort. Photo by Myriams Fotos from Pixabay.
A closeup of a person and their hands hugging a boxer; the feeling is one of sadness and comfort. Photo by Myriams Fotos from Pixabay.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect both children and adults. Events that may lead to PTSD include:

  • Vehicle accidents, terrorist attacks, or natural disasters
  • Experiences of abuse, harassment, bullying, or violent attacks
  • Observing others get injured or killed
  • Receiving a diagnosis of a life-threatening condition
  • Losing a loved one in distressing circumstances or learning about trauma impacting someone close

PTSD often causes intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, and shifts in physical and emotional responses. These symptoms can severely impact daily life, making it difficult to carry out even routine activities.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between animal-assisted interventions (AAI) and PTSD. While PTSD is frequently discussed in the context of combat veterans, it can occur in many populations. Research has shown that AAI, particularly with service dogs and therapy animals, can help people manage PTSD symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Service Animals for PTSD Relief

Service dogs can offer significant support to individuals with PTSD. These psychiatric service animals are specifically trained to help people with mental health conditions by performing tasks that can ease PTSD symptoms. Common tasks include:

  • Waking a person during nightmares
  • Guiding someone out of a building during an anxiety attack
  • Providing grounding through nudging, pawing, or leaning
  • Bringing medication to the person upon command

Studies, including a pilot study by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), reveal the positive effects of service dogs on veterans with PTSD. Compared to veterans without service dogs, those with service animals reported:

  • Reduced PTSD symptom severityBetter management of flashbacks and anxiety
  • Fewer nightmares and sleep disturbances
  • Lower anxiety, depression, and anger
  • Increased social integration and reduced isolation
  • Greater participation in activities outside the home
  • Higher resilience and overall life satisfaction
  • Less reliance on medications for anxiety, sleep, and pain

Expanding Access: The Role of Therapy Animals

While service dogs provide substantial support, they are not accessible to everyone due to high demand, training time (up to two years), and training costs (between $20,000 and $30,000 per dog). As a result, alternative options like animal-assisted interventions (AAI) offer short-term benefits through therapy animals.

Therapy animals, often accompanied by trained volunteers, can support individuals with PTSD in various settings. They might attend therapy sessions, visit doctor’s offices, support foster care programs, or provide comfort in assisted living facilities. Dr. Marguerite O’Haire’s literature review highlights the benefits of AAI for PTSD, including:

  • Reduced depression and anxiety
  • Decreased symptom severity
  • Reminders of safety and reduced arousal
  • Social support and reduced loneliness
  • Positive external focus and increased oxytocin levels, lowering stress

Evidence suggests that therapy animals, such as those registered by Pet Partners, can effectively support individuals with PTSD through these interactions.

Pet Partners Resources on Animal-Assisted Interventions and PTSD

Pet Partners offers several resources to support the integration of AAI into PTSD treatment plans:

  1. Working with Veterans Course: This continuing education course provides strategies for working with populations that commonly experience PTSD. Find details on our Online Education page.
  2. Veterans Administration Partnership: Through this collaboration, therapy animals support Veterans Health Administration facilities, offering opportunities to assist veterans receiving PTSD treatment. Registered teams interested in working with VHA facilities can find more information in the Resource Library.
  3. Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (AACR) Training: Our AACR course trains Pet Partners volunteers in mental health first aid and other methods that benefit those experiencing trauma. Explore more on our AACR page.

For facilities interested in PTSD support through therapy animal visits, we encourage you to post a volunteer opportunity.

Additional Resources on PTSD Support

While Pet Partners promotes AAI in PTSD treatment, it is often most effective as part of a holistic approach. Here are additional resources for understanding and addressing PTSD: