Can a dog ownership and training program improve symptoms of PTSD among veterans?
IMAGE: JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine is dedicated to research on paradigm, practice and policy advancing integrative health. view more
Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
New Rochelle, NY, November 5, 2018--The results of a new integrative health study that measures the effects of owning and training a therapy dog on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans are published in JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers, dedicated to paradigm, practice and policy advancing integrative health. Click here to read the full-text article free on JACM website through December 5, 2018.
The article, entitled "Dog Ownership and Training Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Increases Self-Compassion Among Veterans: Results of a Longitudinal Control Study," was coauthored by Dessa Bergen-Cico, PhD, Yvonne Smith, PhD, Collin Gooley, and Brooks Gump, PhD, Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY); Karen Wolford, PhD, SUNY Oswego (Oswego, NY); and Kathleen Hannon, Ryan Woodruff, and Melissa Spicer, Clear Path for Veterans (Chittenango, NY).
Researchers reported significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, as well as reductions in perceived stress, isolation, and self-judgement, and significant increases in self-compassion when comparing the veterans that participated in the Dogs2Vets program over a 12-month period to veterans that were on the waiting list to receive a dog during that time period.
"The short story here is that dogs may be the best friend for a veteran with PTSD who engages in this training program," says JACM Editor-in-Chief John Weeks, johnweeks-integrator.com, Seattle, WA. "It is remarkable when research suggests that the best medicine for such a gnawing condition may be as close at hand and simple as this."
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About the Journal
JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine is a monthly peer-reviewed journal published online with open access options and in print that is dedicated to research on paradigm, practice and policy advancing integrative health. Led by John Weeks (johnweeks-integrator.com), the co-founder and past Executive Director of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health, JACM publishes human clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and commentary intended to help healthcare professionals, delivery organization leaders, policy-makers and scientists evaluate and integrate therapies into patient care protocols, payment strategies and appropriate protocols. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the JACM website.
About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Medical Acupuncture, and Journal of Medicinal Food. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
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