Who’s a good boy? Apparently, the answer could be found among the neatened lines of scientific studies. Recently, service dogs have been proven to help ease PTSD symptoms in U.S. military veterans. In a small study that might just warm the heart of even the grumpiest cat person, these furry companions are giving new meaning to man's (and woman’s) best friend.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) already provides veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder an array of therapies, including talk therapy and medications. Always eager to throw a bone into the mix, the VA also runs pilot programs involving service dogs—because apparently, a good dog can provide just as much solace as a good therapist (sources).

Renowned for their commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care to veterans, the VA even prescribes service dogs to certain veterans diagnosed with substantial impairments, including PTSD. They actually cover some of the costs too, so you won’t need to trade your savings account for a bag of kibble.

Let's paws (pun intended) to shower love on the unsung heroes of this tale, the dogs provided by nonprofit organization K9s For Warriors. These dogs aren’t just wagging their tails for the fun of it. They're trained to pick up on a veteran's physical signs of distress and to interrupt those pesky panic attacks and nightmares with gentle, loving nudges. Who knew a cold nose could be so warm and inviting?

Researchers involved in the study aimed to bring some scientific credibility to a practice that seemed intuitive yet lacked rigorous proof. Imagine their delight when they found that veterans with service dogs fared better than those on the waiting list (sources). Now, there’s more than just bark behind the hype.

Here’s a fur-tastic detail: The study provided service dogs to 81 veterans and compared their progress to 75 veterans patiently waiting for their canine wonder. The symptoms in both groups improved over time, but it turns out those with service dogs saw a bigger improvement on average. Measured by psychology doctoral students blind to which participant had a service dog, it seems that both puppies and academia can make for loyal friends (sources).

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in JAMA Network Open. It remains unclear, however, whether any dog can have the same therapeutic effect, as roughly 40% of the vets in both groups owned pet dogs. It turns out the type of dog and specific training might just be the secret sauce. Who knew being a specialized service dog could be just as nuanced as being a specialized therapist?

The study also highlighted that while service dogs are a fantastic complementary treatment, they shouldn't be considered standalone therapy. Because let’s face it, even the best-compensated dog therapist can’t write prescriptions or facilitate talk therapy sessions.

For Iraq war veterans, PTSD is dreadfully common, affecting up to 29% over their lifetimes. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, numbness, and the charming sensation of being forever on edge. Enter the likes of Dave Crenshaw, who served with the Army National Guard in Iraq and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016. In a story fit for a Hollywood script, Crenshaw met his service dog, a heartwarming pointer-black lab mix named Doc, in 2019 (sources).

Crenshaw’s experience isn’t just going to the dogs—it’s proof positive of their impact. Doc helped him transform his life, and today, Crenshaw no longer takes antidepressants. He credits Doc for bringing joy back into his world, and honestly, hearing that can make your heart do some fetching.

So, as the research continues and veterans around the country report newfound smiles and smaller emotional wounds, perhaps it’s time to give our four-legged friends a bit more credit. They may not wear white coats or prescribe medications, but when it comes to handling PTSD, a service dog might just be the companion worth wagging about. 🐾