How Do Service Dogs Help Veterans With PTSD Manage Their Stress Response?

What you need to know

• Service dogs can help regulate the morning stress hormone response in veterans with PTSD
• Veterans with service dogs showed healthier cortisol patterns compared to those without service dogs
• The benefits appear specific to veterans rather than extending to their family members

Understanding Stress and PTSD

Imagine waking up each morning feeling constantly on edge, as if your body’s alarm system is stuck in the “on” position. This is a reality for many veterans with PTSD, where the body’s natural stress response becomes dysregulated. One way to measure this stress response is through cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” which naturally peaks in the morning to help us start our day energized and alert.

The Role of Service Dogs

Service dogs are increasingly recognized as a valuable complementary treatment for veterans with PTSD. These specially trained dogs can perform specific tasks like alerting to anxiety, providing comfort, and creating personal space in crowded areas. But how exactly do they help veterans manage their stress response?

The Science Behind the Study

This research followed 245 participants (161 veterans and 84 partners) over three months, measuring their morning cortisol levels through saliva samples. The study compared veterans who received a service dog to those receiving usual care without a service dog.

Participants collected saliva samples immediately upon waking, 30 minutes after waking, and 45 minutes after waking. This pattern, known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR), provides important information about how well the body’s stress response system is functioning.

Key Findings

The results revealed that veterans with service dogs showed a significantly healthier cortisol awakening response compared to veterans without service dogs. This means their bodies were better able to mobilize the energy needed to start the day - a crucial function that is often impaired in people with PTSD.

Interestingly, while veterans showed these biological benefits, their partners did not show significant changes in their cortisol patterns. This suggests that the stress-regulating effects of service dogs are specific to the veterans they are trained to assist.

What This Means for You

If you’re a veteran with PTSD considering a service dog, these findings suggest that beyond the emotional and practical support these animals provide, they may also help regulate your body’s stress response system. This biological support could complement other treatments you’re receiving.

For families of veterans, while you may not experience direct biological benefits from the service dog, understanding this aspect of how service dogs help can provide valuable insight into their role in your loved one’s recovery.

For healthcare providers, this research provides evidence that service dogs can influence biological processes related to stress, supporting their consideration as a complementary intervention for PTSD.

Conclusions

• Service dogs can help normalize the morning stress response in veterans with PTSD
• The benefits appear to work through biological mechanisms, not just emotional support
• This research adds to the growing evidence supporting service dogs as a valuable complement to traditional PTSD treatments