Porter, Winkle, and Herlache-Pretzer (2021) investigated decision-making factors in recommending service dogs (SDs) versus emotional support animals (ESAs) for veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study utilized a web-based survey of SD training organizations across the United States and Canada, collecting insights into training, placement, and welfare considerations.
Key Findings:
- Service dogs can perform specific trained tasks to mitigate PTSD symptoms, such as waking veterans from night terrors, blocking to create space in social settings, or alerting to potential triggers.
- Emotional support animals provide companionship, comfort, and emotional stability but do not perform trained tasks or hold public access rights.
- Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in assessing cognitive and psychosocial functioning, symptom severity, and expectations before making recommendations.
- Certain SD tasks, such as repeated safety checks, may unintentionally reinforce avoidance behaviors, raising clinical concerns about alignment with evidence-based PTSD treatments.
Implications: The research underscores that not every veteran requires a fully trained SD. Some may benefit from the presence of an ESA without the intensive training demands or public access rights. Providers should tailor recommendations to each veteran’s needs, balancing animal welfare, therapeutic goals, and the veteran’s capacity to engage in training and care.
Conclusion: By distinguishing between the therapeutic roles of SDs and ESAs, healthcare providers can improve treatment outcomes, guide training organizations, and enhance quality of life for veterans with PTSD. The study calls for informed referrals and careful clinical evaluation to ensure that animal partnerships contribute to progress rather than hinder recovery.
Source: Porter, M., Winkle, M. Y., & Herlache-Pretzer, E. (2021). Considerations for Recommending Service Dogs versus Emotional Support Animals for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Authors: Macy Porter, Marcia Y. Winkle, Elizabeth Herlache-Pretzer. Journal: People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol4/iss1/4
