Furthermore, it is well-established that dogs contribute to their owners' overall sense of well-being. When it comes to PTSD, there is evidence suggesting that Animal Assisted Interventions can help reduce the alarming suicide rates amongst Veterans, decrease hospitalisations, and lower the costs associated with medications and human care.
At Veterans With Dogs, we are committed to conducting evidence-based research that combines practical experience and input from experts in psychology, dog behaviour, and training. Our aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of how partnership with an Assistance Dog can serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional therapy. In our research, we employ various measures to assess symptoms associated with PTSD, such as the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder checklist (PCL), which helps gauge the severity of PTSD symptoms and track progress over time. We also examine changes in clinical depression, negative cognitions, anxiety, anger, perceived social support, and overall quality of life.
To further enhance our research endeavours, we maintain ongoing collaborations with esteemed UK universities, fostering valuable partnerships in our pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
As our research progresses, we look forward to sharing our findings through appropriate academic channels, ensuring that the knowledge and insights gained can contribute to the field of mental health support for Veterans and individuals with "Invisible Injuries."