Impact of Dog Adoption and Training in Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and/or Other Mental Health Conditions
Assessment of Biopsychosocial Indicators Linked to Canine Intervention Treatment Response in Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and/or Other Mental Health Conditions
Florida Atlantic University
120 participants
Feb 9, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this single-arm study is to learn if a dog adoption and training program can treat, prevent in \[describe participant population/primary condition; could include any of the following: sex/gender, age groups, healthy volunteers\]. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the dog adoption and training program decrease posttraumatic stress symptoms in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms? * Does the dog adoption and training program decrease stress and improve psychosocial health in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms? * Does the dog adoption and training program decrease inflammation, increase oxytocin, and change the structure and resting-state function of specific brain regions in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms? Participants will: * Attend eight one-hour professional dog training sessions within a 10-week period. * Visit the clinical research unit four times during the study for data collection.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Military veteran with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and/or other mental health conditions
- Over 18 years of age
- Applied and approved to adopt a shelter dog for training through the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- English speaker (written and spoken)
- Home internet access via tablet, computer or smartphone.
Exclusion Criteria3
- Fear of dogs
- Allergies to pet dander
- Uncorrected hearing or visual impairment.
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Interventions
Eight, one-hour professional dog training sessions over 8-10 weeks
Locations(1)
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NCT07542431