Trained psychiatric service dogs have recently been used to help treat PTSD in veterans, particularly those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The dogs provide companionship, therapy and security to servicemen returning from deployment. Unfortunately, a growing number of deployed military dogs are returning home with their own signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Dogs at Risk of Developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The acknowledgment of PTSD in military dogs really began with the story of Gina – a 2-year-old bomb-sniffing German shepherd. Gina went door-to-door in Iraq searching for bombs and was exposed to numerous explosions. Gina returned home fearful, avoiding people and refusing to enter buildings. After a year of intensive treatment, Gina is beginning to recover and resume her active military life.
According to Dr. Walter Burghardt, chief of behavioral medicine for military working dog studies at Lackland Air Force Base, “canine [post-traumatic stress disorder] is only diagnosed if the dog has combat exposure or repeated, prolonged deployments.”
Unfortunately, many more military dogs are at risk of canine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than are officially diagnosed. If people can develop PTSD from one single major traumatic event, it is only logical to conclude that the same may be true of dogs. Just as individual people respond and react differently to the same situation, dogs too have their own personalities and are just as likely to respond differently under the same circumstances.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment for Military Dogs
Dogs returning home from deployment are assessed and evaluated for signs of PTSD. Many of these dogs show signs of the disorder, but are not officially diagnosed. Those that receive an official diagnosis are treated with the goal of having them return to active military duty.
Out of the 25 to 30 canine PTSD diagnoses made per year, the military reports that 25 percent return to their regular jobs, 25 percent return to different jobs, 25 percent retire to new homes and the remaining 25 percent continue therapy for an additional three to six months. Currently, there are no reports as to what happens to the dogs if treatment is unsuccessful.
The question remains whether or not it is ethical and humane to continue subjecting these dogs to the stresses of war and whether the risk of untreatable canine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is worth returning the dogs to active duty.
Additional Articles Related to PTSD in Animals:
Causes and Signs of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Family Pets
References and Resources:
“DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”; The American Psychiatric Association; 2000
Bringing Dogs to Heal: Care for Veterans with PTSD; Mark Thompson; Time Magazine; December 05, 2010.
Military dogs returning from Iraq get PTSD diagnoses: One shepherd's therapy seems to help; Associated Press; August 03, 2010.
Dogs bring home war’s stress, too; Michelle Tan; Marine Corps Times; December 30, 2010.
Malysa Stratton Louk - Malysa Stratton Louk is a freelance writer, journalist & photographer in the Pacific Northwest. View her full profile for more ...
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