Service Animals for Veterans with PTDS
Purpose
I am searching an approval to conduct a research on the treatment of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the animal-assisted interventions to alleviate symptoms and increase a perceived quality of life in veterans with PTSD.
Background
Being a military implies a vulnerability to life-threatening experiences, transforming into PTSD. Accordant to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PTSD is a common condition in veterans and it commonly varies by service area. For instance, 20 out of 100 veterans serving in the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) have posttraumatic stress disorder. In turn, taking part in the Vietnam War events triggered PTSD in about 30% of veterans in their lifetime. Likewise, military service is associated with an increased risk of sexual harassment and assault (Castro et al.; Stander & Thomsen). As specified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 55% of women and 38% of men experienced sexual harassment when in the military. Also, 23% of women reported sexual assault during the military service (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). In this way, military are exposed to an array of traumatic experiences that might transform into PTSD.
Veterans with PTSD make a vulnerable population. Krause-Parello, Sarni, and Padden attribute this vulnerability to the veterans’ exposure to depression and isolation, commonly leading to suicide ideation. Accordant to Kachadourian et al, around 63% of veterans have suicide ideation in their lifetime. In 38.3% of male and 12.8% of female veterans, suicide ideation is transformed into suicide (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs). Hence, psychological and mental state of veterans requires special attention, and interventions should be put in place to mitigate the effects of PTSD in the target group.
A number of interventions proposed to treat PTSD in veterans show low effectiveness. Accordant to experts, a significant number of veterans treated with pharmacological interventions, behavioral or reprocessing therapy remain symptomatic (Taylor et al.). Krause-Parello, Sarni, and Padden attribute this to the fact that mental illness carries a negative connotation in the military, thus, veterans might fear ostracism and loss of their status. As specified by Taylor et al, the existing culture emphasizes both physical and mental strength, whereas participation in various treatment interventions is considered an indicator of weakness. Challenging stigma against mental health issues in the military is required to alleviate PTSD in veterans, and is being made possible through changes in treatment approaches (Krause-Parello, Sarni, & Padden). It is argued that using service animals is a stigma-free and effective approach to treating PTSD in veterans.
Inclusion of animals in treatment of psychological disorders has become a widely recognized intervention. As defined by O’Haire et al, animal-assisted intervention “serves as an umbrella term that encompasses targeted therapeutic interventions with animals (Animal-Assisted Therapy), less structured enrichment activities (Animal-Assisted Activities), and the provision of trained animals to assist with daily life activities (Service of Assistance Animals)” (2). In the United States, animal-assisted interventions are supported by the ADA regulations, Title II and Title III, which took effect in 2011 (ADA National Network). The regulations make a clear distinction between service of assistance animals and other species used for assisted therapy and assisted activities. As specified in the ADA regulations, only dogs are considered service animals (ADA National Network). They are trained to assist individuals who are blind or deaf, provide non-violent protection and physical support and perform other types of service (ADA National Network). Other species of animals, including horses and farm animals, are used for therapy and assisted activities (O’Haire et al.). Overall, using animals for therapeutic and assisted purposes has great potential.
To date, there has been ample anecdotal evidence of the benefits of animal-assisted interventions for individuals with PTSD. For instance, the study of Yount et al indicates that animal-assisted interventions are associated with the feeling of comfort in patients who have experienced trauma. In turn, O’Haire et al point out that animal-assisted interventions reduce hyperarousal and alleviate feelings of loneliness in patients with PTSD. Thus, animal-assisted interventions are a tool to manage stress in patients.
Although these pieces of evidence seem convincing, they were mainly collected from children, hence, little is known about the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions in alleviating stress in veterans with PTSD. From what it already known, it is possible to hypothesize that the use of animal-assisted interventions facilitates a growing relationship between a patient and a dog, which helps to overcome feelings of loneliness, a common condition in individuals with PTSD (Murrow). Also, there are reasons to hypothesize that animal-assisted interventions, including therapy with dogs, increase a perceived quality of life that is manifested in reduced social anxiety, improved sleep and taking less medication to control pain (Newton). These hypotheses will be tested in the proposed study.
Thereby, quality of the study will be evaluated based on its compliance to the criteria of validity, reliability and contribution to the existing body of evidence. The criterion of validity implies the believeability of research, showing itself through genuine findings and valid measures of intelligence. The criterion of reliability involves the repeatability of findings, which is being made possible through a scrupulously described methodology. Additionally, the study seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge, so there is an opportunity to reduce the rate of PTSD among veterans through a transformation of knowledge into practice.
Project Plan
Assessment of the effectiveness of using animal-assisted interventions to alleviate PTSD symptoms in veterans involves applying a qualitative research framework. As stated by Rahman, qualitative research framework fits in the interpretative paradigm, suggesting that “the reality is socially constructed by humans which can be changed and understood subjectively” (102). Application of the qualitative research framework is associated with a number of advantages, including an opportunity to describe participants’ feelings, inner experiences and ideas, hence, come up with the “human” side of the problem under study (Rahman). Also, qualitative research framework has a flexible design, meaning that participants have freedom to determine what is consistent for them (Rahman). Often, such flexibility results in the emergence of interesting topics and thought provoking discussions.
Qualitative research framework involves a number of data collection tools, including a face-to-face interview, primary data collection method in the proposed study. As suggested by Glintborg and Hansen, it is reasonable to collect participants through convenience sample, particularly social networking groups for persons with mental health disorder. Recruiting process is based on three inclusion criteria: (1) Participants have the status of veterans. (2) Participants have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, preferably with PTSD. (3) Participants have service dogs or have had some experience with regard to animal-assisted interventions. Age, sex, or race will not be used as an inclusion/exclusion criterion in the study.
It is planned to recruit 15 veterans to participate in an approximately one hour interview, taking place in their home or office. To ensure compliance with major ethical requirements, the participants will be for the first time contacted a week before the interview with an aim to explain the purpose of the study, research procedures and potential benefits of implementing research findings. The candidates will be requested to familiarize with and sign the consent form. Those applicants who disagree to fulfill the requirement will not be admitted to participation in the study.
The interview will include 10 questions and most of them will be open-ended to ensure the breadth and depth of study. As suggested by Glintborg and Hansen, the questions will be about the interviewee’s experience of having a service dog or being involved in the animal-assisted interventions, the effect of having a service dog or participation in animal-assisted interventions on the perceived quality of life, and the role performed by service dogs or other species of animals in existing rehabilitation.
The questions to be asked during the interview are informed by the library search. The researcher will use online databases like PubMd, CINAHL, and ProQuest to search materials related to the use of service dogs or animal-assisted activities to alleviate PTSD symptoms in veterans. The following keywords and phrases will be used to search in the databases: “service animal”, “animal-assisted activity”, “animal-assisted therapy”, “posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)”, “veterans with PTSD”, “animal-assisted interventions in veterans with PTSD.” The researcher investigates the fact that searching for these keywords and phrases will turn an excessive amount of results; hence, rigid criteria will apply to collect sources for secondary data analysis. The criteria will be as follows: (1) Information comes from a reputable source (for instance, peer-reviewed journal, bulletin, or government website). (2) Information is relevant, that is adds to an understanding of the animal-assisted interventions in alleviating PTSD symptoms in veterans. (3) Information is recent. With rare exception, preference will be given to sources from the last five years.
The interview process will be completed in English. The candidates who do not speak English well enough to understand and respond to the interview questions will not be admitted to the study. Also, applicants will be informed that the interview will be tape recorded and subsequently transcribed (Glintborg & Hansen). Those candidates who do not agree to the aforementioned requirements will not be admitted to the interview.
The collected responses will be further transcribed and processed using Thematic Content Analysis. The analytical part will incorporate the framework proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldana and involving a line-by-line reading and coding. The objective of such analysis is to identify the dominant patterns to be further examined in detail (Glintborg & Hansen). It is presumed that the identified patterns will include having a service dog or taking part in the animal-assisted interventions, public access, support provided by service dogs or other species of animals in the animal-assisted interventions, integration of the animal-assisted interventions in the current rehabilitation, and having a service dog or participating in the animal-assisted interventions as an indicator of one’s inner weakness.
The study is a multi-stage process. The major milestones are associated with secondary data analysis, as well as collecting, processing and reporting primary research findings. Project milestones are reflected in the chart below.
Chart 1. Research project milestones
Tasks for Completion July 1-2 July 3-4 July 5-6 July 7-8 July 9-10 July 11-12 July 13-14 July 15-16 July 17-18 July 19-20
Secondary data collection and analysis. Identifying gaps in knowledge.
Research methodology; seeking approval to conduct research.
Primary data collection.
Data synthesis and analysis.
Writing the rough draft.
Discussing research results.
Feedback, editing, final draft.
Presenting findings to a larger audience.
This memo also investigates the fact that the research process will involve some unplanned activities and stages. Thereby, the research project plan may be subject to change.
After the findings are retrieved, the researcher plans to discuss them with an interdisciplinary team of experts. The aim of the discussion is twofold. In the first place, the discussion will suggest ways to apply the acquired knowledge, hence, to alleviate PTSD symptoms in veterans. Also, the researcher plans to have an open discussion of the limitations of the study and topics for future research. The discussion will inform changes in the article to be published in a peer-reviewed journal or posted on a reputable web-site.
Qualifications
I consider myself to be highly qualified to research and write about animal-assisted interventions to alleviate PTSD symptoms in veterans. Being a senior Psychology major with experience in a variety of biology, psychology and education courses, I have sufficient knowledge and skills to collect, analyze and synthesize research data to contribute to the existing body of knowledge. By combining knowledge that I have acquired from various fields of study, I understand that veterans make a vulnerable population, and they need assistance to alleviate symptoms and live a fulfilling life to avoid socioeconomic effects of PTSD. I also understand that most of the existing strategies do not work as intended, since there is a bias against mental disorder, generating the need for some non-standard approaches to PTSD treatment. While having some experience of communication with veterans, I am convinced in own ability to build an interview process in a way to get a profound understanding of the effects of the animal-assisted interventions on veteran’s psychosocial wellbeing. I also want to get an understanding of barriers hindering an implementation of the animal-assisted interventions and to subsequently develop response strategies. I am firmly convinced that effective response strategies are required to reduce stigma on people with mental health disorders, hence to reduce the rate of PTSD among veterans. Finally, I consider myself to be qualified to write about the topic because I have impeccable work ethic and motivation, which is proven by the high GPA. A motivated and disciplined person, I am able to prioritize and allocate my time wisely to conduct the deliver the research report on time.
Summary of Deliverables
Although carrying out the research is costly and time-consuming, the end result is considered to be worth the investment. Introduction of effective animal-assisted interventions will help to alleviate symptoms and subsequently reduce the rate of PTSD among veterans. The end result is considered to be important because in addition to the perceived low quality of life, PTSD has a range of negative social and economic effects.
Conclusion
Military service can be a traumatic experience, which increases veterans’ predisposition to PTSD. Veterans with PTSD make a vulnerable population group, as long as they have higher rates of depression, low perceived quality of life and frequent suicide ideation. Understanding a variety of negative effects associated with PTSD, experts engage in developing treatment interventions. However, veterans remain symptomatic after most of these interventions, since there is a stigma on mental health disorders among the military. It is argued that animal-assisted initiatives can help to overcome stigma, hence, to improve the effectiveness of treatment interventions. Interviewing veterans with PTSD who have a service dog or have been involved in the animal-assisted treatment activities will help to understand the effects that various species of animals have on people’s psychosocial wellbeing and perceived quality of life. Also, interviewing will give a better understanding of the barriers hindering implementation of the animal-assisted treatment interventions, thus, inform response strategies. In the long run, promotion of animal-assisted treatment interventions will reduce the rate of PTSD among veterans, thus, deal with an array of social and economic problems.