Defense Department finances study that pairs dogs with troops suffering PTSD

[babylonsister]

Defense Department finances study that pairs dogs with troops suffering PTSD
By ALAN BAVLEY
The Kansas City Star


Can a canine companion soothe the volatile emotions of a soldier haunted by post-traumatic stress disorder?

It may sound far-fetched, but the Department of Defense wants to find out.

It is spending millions of dollars on medical research projects like this that may yield groundbreaking results but are too speculative for other government agencies to consider.

So the Defense Department is financing a $300,000 study that will pair troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with dogs trained to sense when their masters are about to have a panic attack and give them a calming nudge or nuzzle.

These psychiatric service dogs have been assisting people with a variety of mental illnesses since the late 1990s. About 10,000 such dogs are now in use.

New but preliminary research suggests that the dogs may be particularly helpful for people with PTSD.

And that has the military interested.

“It’s a powerful intervention. We expect a very large effect,” said research psychologist Craig Love.

more...

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1423622.html

[babylonsister]

1. Kickin' because I like this. nt

[Creena]

2. Good for the DoD.

These programs really do help PTSD.

To anyone interested in this therapy, I highly recommend checking out Oprah special on: http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/

[ddeclue]

3. You know military working dogs that saw combat in WWII and Vietnam suffered from PTSD too.

saw a thing about these dogs a few weeks ago on the military channel.

Eventually most of the dogs recovered from their training and war experience but some had to be put down.

:cry:

[Stinky The Clown]

5. We saw that, too

You're right. Some of the dogs had to be put down, but most were able to be "rehabilitated".

We now know they aren't being rehabilitated. They just take on different jobs.

And EVERY dog needs/wants/must have a job.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Unequivocal love can surely help (pic heavy)

[Creena]

7. Omigosh! Are they your pups?

:loveya:

[Mari333]

6. stop both the goddamned occupations and the soldiers wont have PTSD

[dflprincess]

8. Al Franken just got a bill passed allocating funds to train dogs for this

kind of service.