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

The Pet Effect

Ask your doctor if CAT is right for you.

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

New Scientific Results: Asking Patients About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), The University of Toronto, Markham Stouffville Hospital, and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan announced the publication of a study exploring whether Primary Healthcare Professionals asking their patients about the pets in the family would positively impact communication to gather clinically relevant information and improve patient care. “Results of our survey show that asking about pets in the family is an easy and effective way to build trust with a patient, strengthening the patient-provider therapeutic alliance,” said Kate Hodgson, DVM, MHSc, CCMEP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. “When healthcare providers learn about the pets in patients’ lives, they are also developing an understanding about specific aspects of their patients’ environment and social history that can improve the delivery of healthcare.” “Having an exam-room conversation about companion animals helps healthcare providers learn important information about patients’ lifestyle and home life which can positively influence the way they evaluate and treat their patients,” said Alan Monavvari, MD, Chief of Family Medicine, MHSc, CCFP, CHE, CPHQ, at Markham Stouffville Hospital. Dr. Hodgson and Dr. Monavvari, along with co-authors Marcia Darling, BSc and Dr. Douglas Freeman, DVM, PhD, DipACT, analyzed results of a baseline and follow-up survey of 225 healthcare professionals asking about prevalence of patients living with pets, the health impact of pets, and influences on patient communication. Results revealed that patients are more open to talking to their healthcare providers about their pets, revealing clinically relevant information about how they live. Baseline and final surveys measured awareness of pets in patients’ families, assessment of determinants of health, impact on rapport with patients, and patient care. A sign test assessed difference in scores using repeated-measures...

Press Releases

New Study to Investigate Impact of Pet Ownership in Relationships with Intimate Partner Violence

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today a new research grant to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) School of Public Health to investigate how pet ownership and cruelty to animals impacts the decisions and mental health outcomes of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). “Pet abuse has been identified as a predictor of IPV, but there is a lack of data to fully understand the role of pet ownership in relationships where IPV is occurring,” said Alaina Beauchamp, MPH, Principal Investigator. “Quantifying the link between intimate partner violence and animal cruelty will help identify ways to protect people and pets and lower the barriers to seeking help.” One in 4 women and 1 in 9 men reported IPV in 2019 alone. 41 percent of men arrested for IPV reported committing acts of animal cruelty, compared to a nationally representative sample of adult men who reported a 2 percent incidence of animal cruelty. Up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims remain in abusive situations out of fear for their pet’s safety, and only 15 percent of U.S. domestic violence shelters are pet friendly. This new research study led by Alaina Beauchamp, a doctoral student, and Katelyn Jetelina, PhD, assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health, will collect data from women residing in emergency and transitional housing at a domestic violence shelter in the southern United States to examine their experiences of animal cruelty and the barriers it created when seeking help. Data will be used to capture the burden of animal cruelty in this population, assess the role emotional manipulation by an abuser plays in choices made for an IPV survivor and their pet, and evaluate the impact of the human-animal bond on the resiliency and mental health of these IPV survivors. “HABRI is proud to be funding this important research, which will bring data to a critical issue facing survivors of IPV and their pets,” said...

Press Releases

Ernie Els Pet Products Joins with HABRI to Champion Research on Autism and the Human-Animal Bond

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Ernie Els Pet Products today announced a partnership to advance their shared goal of strengthening the human-animal bond. This collaboration will have a special focus on the vital role of the human-animal bond in helping children with autism. “At Ernie Els Pet Products, we are dedicated to creating a world where the companionship we share with our pets helps foster a more compassionate and inclusive society,” stated Mark Segal, CEO of Ernie Els Pet Products. “This vision drives our dedication to improving the lives of pets and people with high-quality products that prioritize health while benefiting the autism community. Through our partnership with HABRI, we will be able to communicate the science behind the human-animal bond with our customers and help advance important research to benefit children with autism.” Research shows that pets can have a profound benefit for children with autism, including increased social interaction and improved social skills and behaviors. A HABRI-funded study also found significantly improved family harmony for families with a child with autism that had a dog compared to those without.[1] “HABRI is grateful for the support of Ernie Els Pet Products, a company with a clear mission to empower pet owners to become champions for change and strengthen the human-animal bond,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. [1] The Long-Term Benefits of Dog Ownership in Families with Children with Autism