Expectations Versus Experiences of Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Service Dogs: An Inductive Conventional Content Analysis

Clinical Impact Statement This study illuminates the experiences of Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs and compares these experiences to the expectations of Veterans who are on the waitlist for a service dog. Discrepancies between expectations and experiences may inform mental health practitioners as they determine if a PTSD service dog is an appropriate intervention for clients with PTSD. Objective: The objective of this study was twofold: to describe the benefits and drawbacks of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dog from the perspective of Veterans with service dogs and to compare these reports to the expectations of Veterans who were on a waitlist for a PTSD service dog. Method: A total of 128 U.S. post-9/11 Veterans with PTSD were recruited from a nonprofit service dog provider (K9s for Warriors), including n = 69 with a PTSD service dog and n = 59 on the waitlist. Participant responses to open-ended survey questions were analyzed with conventional content analysis and classified into 214 codes across six subthemes, creating three larger themes. A subset (20%) of the data was independently coded to establish interrater reliability (Cohen's kappa = .804). Frequency data were used to compare theme and subtheme prevalence between groups. Results: Veterans' experiences and expectations were centered on the effects the service dogs had on Veteran mental health, human-dog interaction, and the associated drawbacks. Although the majority of Veterans reported benefits from their service dogs, the findings revealed that Veterans on the waitlist more frequently mentioned benefits than those with a service dog. Study findings suggest that the drawbacks expected from service dogs differ from the drawbacks experienced. Conclusion: Understanding expectations versus experiences provides critical information for mental health professionals who are informing Veterans on individualized interventions for PTSD. This knowledge will enable professionals to temper expectations and educate Veterans on specific benefits and drawbacks so that they have a more rounded view of PTSD service dogs.

Automated summary

This study examines the experiences of Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) service dogs and compares them with the expectations of Veterans on a waitlist for a service dog. It found that Veterans on the waitlist more frequently mentioned benefits of service dogs. The study suggests that expected drawbacks of service dogs differ from those experienced.