Dog adoption and professional training program for veterans with PTSD symptoms
Assessment of Biopsychosocial Indicators Linked to Canine Intervention Treatment Response in Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and/or Other Mental Health Conditions
This program will try pairing veterans who report PTSD symptoms with a shelter dog and professional training to see if it reduces symptoms, lowers stress, and improves mental and biological health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Florida Atlantic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boca Raton, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07542431 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-arm study enrolls veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms or other mental health conditions who have been approved to adopt a shelter dog through the Humane Society of Broward County. Participants attend eight one-hour professional dog training sessions over a 10-week period and complete four clinical research visits for data collection. Outcomes include changes in PTSD symptoms, stress and psychosocial health, inflammatory markers, oxytocin levels, and brain structure and resting-state function. The study requires English fluency, home internet access, and excludes those with fear of dogs, pet dander allergies, or uncorrected hearing or vision impairment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Veterans over 18 with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms or other mental health conditions who have been approved to adopt a shelter dog through the Humane Society of Broward County and can attend training sessions and study visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Veterans who are not approved to adopt a shelter dog, who have a fear of dogs, allergies to pet dander, or uncorrected hearing or visual impairments are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce PTSD symptoms and stress while improving psychosocial well-being and related biological measures in participating veterans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on companion and service dog interventions for PTSD has shown mixed results, with some studies reporting improvements in symptoms and quality of life but inconsistent findings on physiological and neuroimaging measures.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Military veteran with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and/or other mental health conditions * Over 18 years of age * Applied and approved to adopt a shelter dog for training through the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida * English speaker (written and spoken) * Home internet access via tablet, computer or smartphone. Exclusion Criteria: * Fear of dogs * Allergies to pet dander * Uncorrected hearing or visual impairment.
Where this trial is running
Boca Raton, Florida
- Florida Atlantic University — Boca Raton, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Beth A Pratt, PhD — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Beth A Pratt, PhD
- Email: bpratt4@health.fau.edu
- Phone: 561-297-4912
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.