Overview
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 Criteria:
- 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 Criteria:
- Fear of dogs
- Allergies to pet dander
- Uncorrected hearing or visual impairment.
