New research reveals how pet dogs can promote social connectivity and emotional wellbeing in veterans with PTSD.

Not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they wear fur coats.

After bravely serving their country, it’s not uncommon for veterans to suffer from trauma, even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In an ideal world, these individuals would receive prompt and effective medical assistance, but we don’t live in an ideal world. For this reason, researchers from Florida, US, recently conducted a feasibility study exploring the possible use of dog-focused digital storytelling to improve veterans’ wellbeing.

Digital storytelling is a qualitative research tool in which participants produce short, personal multimedia stories with the aim of deepening personal connections and fostering a greater understanding of individual experiences. Previous research has showed that dogs can provide veterans with social and emotional support, a sense of purpose, and stress management. Therefore, digital storytelling offers “a unique perspective with focus on a recognized hero, the veteran’s dog, and an opportunity for engagement with other veterans during COVID-19.”

New research into digital storytelling

Eight US veteran dog owners, aged 18-100 years, were paired with a trained student and grouped into sets of four. The pairs and groups met virtually for eight weekly sessions. To create their digital stories, information was collected via conversations between veterans and students. Veterans also complimented their stories with photos, recordings of their voice, and background music or sound effects. The aim of the digital storytelling intervention was to expose the meaning of having a dog in their life.

Dogs provide purpose and routine

The findings of the study revealed that veterans’ dogs acted as companions and confidants, providing a shoulder to cry on when needed. Dogs were valued for their non-judgemental and unconditional love, which allowed veterans to be themselves. In the presence of their dog, veterans said that they could be vulnerable, unlike around people, where they felt pressure to act stoic.

Dogs were also reported as providing a sense of purpose and responsibility, which is often lost when veterans leave the military. In particular, several veterans mentioned being able to create and stick to daily schedules with the help of their dog, resulting in health benefits, such as better sleep patterns and exercise outdoors. These activities (e.g. dog walking), also led to veterans having increased and improved interactions with others, providing a safe and easy topic of conversation.

Intervention feasibility

The feasibility of digital storytelling as an intervention for veterans was assessed on eight criteria: acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, adaptation, integration, expansion, and limited-efficacy testing. The intervention was found to be strongest on acceptability and adaptation, but faced challenges which required continual adaptation throughout the process, highlighting the methods flexibility.

Overall, the feasibility study using digital storytelling with veterans highlighted its potential as a therapeutic tool. By focusing on the impact of the relationship veterans share with their dogs, the study illuminated a path to enhanced social connectivity and improved mental wellbeing. With further development to improve integration and efficacy, digital storytelling could become an additional resource available to veterans and other at-risk populations.

Study implications

The study highlights the positive impact pet dogs can have on their veteran owner’s social and emotional wellbeing. Pet dogs provided veterans with a sense of purpose and routine, as well as non-judgmental social support. These findings are important since prior studies into the area have focused predominantly on service dogs, which are in short supply globally.

Service dogs do have several benefits over pet dogs, including access to public spaces and trained behaviours, such as interrupting panic attacks. However, it’s also important to understand the health and wellbeing benefits associated with the mere presence of a dog, through the behaviours needed to care for them and the unconditional love they provide, which this study opens the door to.

Research takeaway

Pet dogs might not be able to shoot lasers from their eyes or fly, but increasing scientific evidence suggests that they possess a more subtle set of superpowers, providing their owners with strong emotional support and encouraging healthy behaviours.

Key study findings:

• Veterans viewed their dogs as companions and confidants
• Dogs were valued for their non-judgmental, unconditional love
• Veterans felt they could be vulnerable around their dogs
• Dogs gave veterans purpose and routine
• Dog-related activities improved veterans’ social connectivity
• Feasibility issues were raised for the digital storytelling intervention