How Dogs Can Help Veterans Overcome PTSD
New research finds that "man's best friend" could be lifesavers for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- By Chris Colin
- Smithsonian magazine, July-August 2012, Subscribe
Going to the movies was the worst: the crowds, the dark, the whispering.
“I would constantly be scanning for who was going to come stab me from behind,” says Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist from San Joaquin, California. He was discharged in 2005 after serving in a heavy artillery quick-reaction force in South Baghdad. But fear, anxiety, depression and substance abuse swept into his life, and Soliz became one of 300,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Isolated, his family deteriorating—“I couldn’t show affection, couldn’t hug my kids”—Soliz turned to the Palo Alto V.A. Medical Center. One recent morning, he talked about his progress. Hanging from his belt was a container of doggie treats, a link to the treatment he credits with saving his life. Soliz participates in Paws for Purple Hearts, one of four experimental programs nationwide that pair veterans afflicted by PTSD with Labrador and golden retrievers. Launched in 2008 by a social worker named Rick Yount, the program arranges for a veteran to spend six weeks with a dog, training it to be a mobility-assistance animal for a physically disabled veteran.
It’s no surprise that a doe-eyed creature like the one at Soliz’s feet can soothe, but other benefits are less predictable. The animals draw out even the most isolated personality, and having to praise the animals helps traumatized veterans overcome emotional numbness. Teaching the dogs service commands develops a patient’s ability to communicate, to be assertive but not aggressive, a distinction some struggle with. The dogs can also assuage the hypervigilance common in vets with PTSD. Some participants report they finally got some sleep knowing that a naturally alert soul was standing watch.
Researchers are accumulating evidence that bonding with dogs has biological effects, such as elevated levels of the hormone oxytocin. “Oxytocin improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, the overcoming of paranoia and other pro-social effects—the opposite of PTSD symptoms,” says Meg Daley Olmert of Baltimore, who works for a program called Warrior Canine Connection.
About 300 vets have participated in these programs, and some graduates who Yount worried “wouldn’t make it” report impressive strides. Congress has commissioned a study, underway in Florida, to assess the effectiveness of canine-caretaking on PTSD.
Soliz says his life is slowly coming back to him. He now can go to the movies without panicking—and hug and kiss his two kids.
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Comments (11)
I would love to start training dogs for these soldiers. I have australian cattle dogs, they are the smartest and toughest and are more connected to humans that dogs. They choose to be right next to you. Growing up, most guys had a heeler. They are a great size, love their family. I also have anatolians that are larger and can pull better than a german shepherd or lab. ACD has donr it all, search and rescue, herding, protection, flyball and such. They work with out training when it comes to protection, its in their blood. I could train from birth to a year, then the new owner bonds with them.
Posted by Laura on October 4,2012 | 04:11 AM
I am a veteran 100% disabled w/PTSD. None of these organizations that help veterans will help me because I didn't get my PTSD in the right place. I've been trying to get a service dog now for two years and am ready to give up. While I appreciate and respect that people want to help veterans I wish folks could also understand that trauma is trauma, no matter how or where it's experienced. The notion that a veteran can only 'get' PTSD from a combat zone is blatantly false, yet these organizations discriminate against non-combat veterans. Now, don't get me wrong-I believe that combat veterans are deserving of EVERY benefit possible, but just because I wasn't personally sent to a combat zone shouldn't exclude me from the most effective "medication" for my disability. Picture two veterans hobbling down the street, each with a broken leg. One broke their leg in combat overseas and the other, in a training accident in Virginia. Would you stop and give the combat veteran a ride but make the other one walk? Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Posted by J. W. on August 25,2012 | 12:53 PM
I volunteer with a non-profit program called Operation Freedoms Paws based in Gilroy, CA that is helping veterans in the northern California area with service dogs. The founder, Mary Cortani, started the program in 2010. She matches vets with shelter or rescue dogs and then teaches them together as a team to pass the service dog test. Sometimes she works with the veteran's own dog, if it's a suitable service dog candidate. There is no charge to the veterans for either the dogs or the training program. For more information, contact Operation Freedoms Paws via Facebook or their website operationfreedomspaws.org.
Posted by Janet Wenholz on August 11,2012 | 04:17 PM
To al i think you can take your dog everywhere you go. she is there for you all the way. Notify the association that you have a dog that needs to be noticed and you will strive ok. love,pam
Posted by pamela on August 11,2012 | 03:40 PM
I run a program called Greyt Hearts Service Dogs Inc.. We train retired Greyhounds as Service Dogs, specializing in PSTD. These animals are amazing and can totally change a person's life. I can be reached at greythearts@gmail.com. www.greythearts.org is our site.
Posted by Patti Goettler on August 10,2012 | 09:14 AM
I am a vet with PTSD and I would like to know how I can get training for me and my sidekick Bailey. She has been the reason I can function most of the time. I only wish I could take her everywhere I go.
Posted by Al on August 7,2012 | 01:12 PM
Don't forget Vietnam combat veterans that still live in isolation with PTSD. Even this late in life, my German Shepard and the other dogs I have had in the past have helped me cope with everyday life situations much better than a partner. It's all about trust...
Posted by Matthew Kritzer on August 3,2012 | 05:00 PM
People can learn alot from dogs just by watching them. Compassion for starters. Dogs aren't evil, greedy or backstabing and don't judge or criticize. They love us unconditionally. Their diet is easy: I make a mixture of deboned chicken, cooked rice, hardboiled egg and lowfat cottage cheese which is much healthier and less expensive than can dog food. Also leave down a good quality dry dog food along with clean water. At first take them out every few hours through the same door and to the same spot like we would use the restroom. In less than a week they know where to relieve themselves. Long term a pet door and fenced area is the easiest. This way they aren't waiting for you when they need to go, and no accidents in the house this way. The most important training words are 'come' and 'stay' which can be taught easily by using a harness collar and a leash. Pull the dog 'gently' toward you while saying the dog's name first and come at the same time. They catch on quickly. And when you walk out the door if they are right there and not going for a walk say the dog's name and stay. It's that easy. Dogs can help anyone overcome traumatic pasts and it is proven having a pet relieves stress. This sounds like a great program and I share these tips with hopes in helping people create a happy bond with their pets.
Posted by PE on August 3,2012 | 09:57 AM
Interesting! This proves that dogs really are Man's best friend.
Posted by Mike on August 2,2012 | 03:30 PM
They also dont judge us, call us lazy because sometimes we just want to hide. Animals are the only true friends in this world. Everyone else is selfish...to some point and that effects how people want to react with them. Its hard to get over the paranoia that someone wants to hurt you when all you have to deal with is people and that niggling voice in the back of your head that all they want to do is hurt you. Animals help you over come that. Its a step to have someone you can fully trust, to start remembering you can trust others.
Posted by lbloodgood on July 12,2012 | 07:24 PM
The loyalty of dogs and soldiers for one another has been well known since at least time of the American Civil War, and it's become very common today to read and see stories in the media about the strong, enduring bonds that modern soldiers and dogs share. It doesn't matter whether the dogs are highly trained military working dogs or local strays whom the soldiers have befriended. It seems that even in the harshest conditions that soldiers encounter on active duty, the relationships they develop with dogs help them to maintain their humanity. How wonderful that scientific evidence is now showing how these same bonds of affection, loyalty and trust can help psychologically-wounded soldiers heal.
Posted by NL on July 3,2012 | 07:55 PM