New Research to Study Effects of Service Dogs on Post 9-11 War Veterans with PTSD

The Pet Effect

Did you know that cat owners are 40% less likely to die of a heart attack than those without a cat?

Learn more about The Pet Effect here.

Washington, D.C. (April 16, 2015) — The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation today announced it has awarded a $42,000 grant to Purdue University to lead a first-of-its-kind, controlled scientific study to measure the effects of service dogs on post 9-11 war veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Participants in the K9s For Warriors program, a nonprofit organization pairing war veterans with service dogs, will take part in the study.

“While numerous studies have confirmed that companion animals help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has cited a lack of specific scientific evidence on the effectiveness of service animals for war veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI,” said HABRI Executive Director Steven Feldman. “We are committed to addressing this gap in peer-reviewed science so that every veteran who needs a service animal can get one.”

PTSD is a prevalent and debilitating disorder that, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, affects nearly 20 percent of post 9-11 war veterans. Typically triggered by intense events and situations, symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts.

To explore the effect of service dogs on war veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI, the Purdue-led study will monitor the health and wellness of the K9s For Warriors participants including medical, physiological, and self-perception indicators. It is hypothesized that the veterans who have service dogs will demonstrate better health and wellness compared to those receiving other treatment services while on the waitlist for a service dog.

“While there are existing PTSD treatments available for veterans, a number of them have limited effectiveness and high drop-out rates,” said Marguerite O’Haire, PhD, Purdue University. “This controlled research study will document the impact of service dogs on veterans, which may provide an effective addition to enhance current practices.”

Providing service dogs at no cost to war veterans suffering from PTSD and/or TBI as a result of military service post 9-11, K9s For Warriors is dedicated to encouraging and empowering warriors to transition back into civilian life with independence. K9s For Warriors program participants will take part in the study and will be evaluated by researchers.

“K9s For Warriors has achieved a high success rate with our program, which trains and pairs more than 70 dogs and veterans each year,” said K9s For Warriors Executive Director Rory Diamond. “We’ve seen first-hand how service dogs in our program have positively impacted dozens of war heroes and we are eager to validate our work through hard science.”

“As an active duty Navy veteran and current Naval Reserve officer, I am proud that K9s for Warriors is located in Florida’s 6th Congressional District,” said Congressman Ron DeSantis. ”The announcement of this important research will validate and ultimately help take the K9s For Warriors model to many more veterans suffering from PTSD who could benefit from a trained service dog.”

A key supporter of HABRI research projects and the K9s For Warriors program, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health is a global leader in animal health and a proud partner to K9s For Warriors, most recently implementing a donation program to enable dog-owners across the country to help give back to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. During the special promotion period, now through May 31, 2015, when dog owners purchase K9 Advantix II®, Bayer will donate $1 per package, up to $150,000, to K9s For Warriors.¹

“Bayer believes in the power of the human-animal bond,” said David Van Brunt, Vice-President, Marketing, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health. “HABRI and Bayer’s support of K9s For Warriors demonstrates and honors the unbreakable bond between warriors and their service dogs—a unique bond that is also shared across America by all dog owners and their dogs.”

¹K9s For Warriors Inc. is a tax-exempt charitable organization doing business at 260 South Roscoe Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. No portion of the purchase price paid by purchaser is tax deductible by purchaser. The K9 Advantix II manufacturer Bayer Animal Health is not tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)

About HABRI

The HABRI Foundation maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; to date has funded more than half a million dollars in innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society.

About Purdue University

Founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Ind., Purdue University is a major research institution known not only for science, technology, engineering, and math programs, but also for imagination, ingenuity, and innovation. Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is home to its Center for the Human-Animal Bond and hosts HABRI Central, HABRI’s online hub of more than 22,000 human-animal bond research entries.

About Bayer HealthCare Animal Health

A proud supporter of HABRI and K9s For Warriors, Bayer HealthCare Animal Health is a global leader in animal health and supports the health and well-being of animals by providing veterinarians, ranchers and pet owners with the means to help prevent and treat infectious, parasitic and chronic diseases in animals. The division provides more than 100 medicinal and care products for both companion and farm animals worldwide.

About K9s For Warriors

K9s For Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to warriors suffering from PTSD or TBI as a result of military service, with a main goal to give a new leash on life to rescue dogs and military heroes and empowering warriors to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.

Contact

Tierra Bonaldi

tierra@theimpetusagency.com

775.322.4022

###

Press Releases

Healthy Paws Foundation Joins Forces with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute

Healthy Paws Foundation, the charitable arm funded in part by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance – the #1 customer-rated provider of insurance for dogs and cats— and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) have joined forces; Healthy Paws Foundation has made a contribution to support the HABRI’s research on the mental and physical health benefits of owning a pet. Healthy Paws will sit alongside other leaders in the pet care community on the HABRI Steering Committee. This commitment focuses on creating awareness of “the pet effect”, including health benefits for people and improved health and welfare for pets. Scientific evidence shows that companion animals can help prevent cardiovascular disease, reduce depression, and provide support for conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s to autism spectrum disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). HABRI reports that pet ownership saves $11.7 billion in U.S. healthcare costs. The human-animal bond is also good for pets. A recently-published survey by HABRI found that when pet parents are educated on the scientific research on the health benefits of pets, 89 percent said they would be more likely to take better care of their pets. “We believe in the work HABRI is doing. Their research tells us that companion animals have a positive health impact; so while pets are an important part of the family, they’re also significant to our wellbeing,” said Rob Jackson, Chief Pet Protector at Healthy Paws. “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship, too – the knowledge that a human-animal bond increases their own health and wellness motivates pet parents to take better care of their pets. This means providing the best pet medical care is of utmost importance.” “Healthy Paws is a leader in the growing pet insurance business because they recognize the powerful human-animal bond that makes pets part of our families,” said Steven Feldman, HABRI Executive Director. “Research shows that when we take better care...

Press Releases

Federal Grant Applications Now Open: $3.3MM Now Available to Support Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters

The PAWS Act Coalition, a group of nonprofit and for-profit organizations committed to protecting survivors of domestic violence and their pets, proudly shares the recent announcement of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program. “Purina is proud to be part of the public-private partnership supporting grants to DV shelters to ensure more abuse survivors and their pets are able to enter safe shelter and begin healing together,” said Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO and President of Nestlé Purina PetCare. “The PAWS Act Coalition will work closely with the Department of Justice to raise awareness of the $3.3 million available to aid survivors of domestic violence and their pets,” said Steven Feldman, President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). “We are proud to help spread to word about the opening of the 2023 grant applications, including the new category of awards which aims to provide technical assistance to reinforce existing grantees.” FY 2023 grants will provide funding for shelter and transitional housing and other assistance for survivors of domestic violence with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses. Grants awarded may be used for programs that provide support services designed to enable someone fleeing an abuser to locate and secure housing with their pet, safe accommodations for their pet, or related services such as transportation and other assistance. Additionally, funding will provide training and technical assistance yo existing grantees from FY 2020-2022. The OVC will fund five awards of up to $400,000 each for large projects and eight awards of up to $100,000 each for small projects. Eligible projects may facilitate pet-friendly shelter in different ways including emergency, transitional, and short-term shelter and housing assistance for domestic violence survivors along with their companion...

Press Releases

New National Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards Program Launched to Recognize Pet-Friendly Products and Programs

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today it has launched the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, a new awards program to recognize companies and organizations that are implementing innovative products and practices designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. “We know that there are companies and organizations throughout the country developing products and implementing practices that bring pets and people together in innovative ways,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “The Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards aim to not only celebrate these trailblazing organizations but also position them as models for others seeking to honor the human-animal bond.” “PetSmart Charities is excited to be the inaugural Presenting Sponsor for the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities. “We want to shine a spotlight on all of the new and exciting ways to make the world a better place for pets and all who love them.” Nominees can be submitted in two different award categories: Products and Services: Recognizes companies or organizations creating products or services to enhance or strengthen the human-animal bond. Workplace Culture: Recognizes companies or organizations striving to create a pet-friendly workplace culture. “The award guidelines are written to encourage organizations and companies of all kinds to share how they support the human-animal bond,” said Feldman. “We know that innovations go beyond having pets in the workplace, and we can’t wait to learn about how leaders across industries are supporting the mutually-beneficial connection between people and pets.” Nominations are open to the public and can be submitted online at www.habri.org/hab-innovation-awards. Award winners will be selected at the discretion of an expert committee of pet care community leaders assembled by HABRI. The deadline for submission is July 8, 2022. Winners...