Service dogs to help Veterans with PTSD
Multi-site, longitudinal trial evaluating the efficacy, mechanisms, and moderators of service dogs for military Veterans with PTSD
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · NIH-11182603
Seeing whether trained service dogs can reduce PTSD symptoms and help military Veterans feel and function better.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11182603 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This multi-site, long-term project follows military Veterans who receive trained service dogs and tracks PTSD symptoms, daily functioning, and related health measures over time. The team will compare outcomes at multiple follow-up points to study how much benefit comes from the dogs and whether more time with a dog leads to greater improvement. Researchers will also look for biological and behavioral signs that explain how service dogs may help, and for factors that make the dogs more or less helpful for different people. Participation involves regular visits, questionnaires, and possibly biological or activity measurements while living with a service dog.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Military Veterans living with PTSD (often including those with related anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders) are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People without PTSD, those with severe dog-related allergies or phobias, or those whose living situations cannot accommodate a service dog are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, trained service dogs could lower PTSD symptoms and improve daily functioning and quality of life for Veterans.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller prior studies have reported short-term improvements with PTSD service dogs, but long-term benefits, mechanisms, and which patients benefit most remain uncertain.
Where this research is happening
TUCSON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA — TUCSON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'HAIRE, MARGUERITE ELIZABETH — UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- Study coordinator: O'HAIRE, MARGUERITE ELIZABETH
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.