Post-traumatic stress disorder, common among soldiers and populations living through war, can be addressed with the help of a dog. Research demonstrates this.
It is called post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD – and it resembles acute stress disorder, with the difference that symptoms last for more than a month and persist over time, generating a range of more or less serious problems for those affected. This condition is the possible response of an individual to an abnormal critical event (earthquakes, fires, storms, road accidents, sexual abuse, acts of violence suffered or witnessed, terrorist attacks, acts of war such as bombings and the like) and is currently treated with psychological support and specific pharmacological therapies. But, once again, animals (emotional support animals) can provide important help to those suffering from this syndrome, with its array of debilitating symptoms such as panic attacks, tachycardia, and a sense of detachment from one's own body.
This is what emerges from a study by Purdue University, which found that guide and assistance dogs can have an impact on the treatment of anxiety disorders and PTSD. The research, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology, was conducted on service dogs assigned to veterans of the United States armed forces. According to the researchers, among the psychological aids provided to soldiers involved in military operations, the friendly presence of a four-legged companion during episodes of anxiety must be front and centre: it is one of the most frequently used services in the daily routine of patients affected by this syndrome, and becomes ideal when combined with relaxation techniques with animals, such as yoga.
The research carried out for the study also revealed how dogs are able to act on a number of specific symptoms of PTSD, such as nightmares, flashbacks and a sense of hyperawareness in public. According to Kerri Rodriguez, lead author of the study, a key finding was discovering how guide and assistance dogs offer invaluable companionship to the patient and bring them joy and happiness, helping to alleviate anxiety and physical symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. In short, here too, the presence of a four-legged friend can be fundamental in finding psychological relief and embarking on a proper path to recovery.