Research investigates the role service dogs play in preventing suicide in veterans with PTSD.

In the US, on average 20 veterans take their own lives each day—a disproportionally higher number than in the general population. In an effort to help ex-service men and women, the use of service dogs is becoming increasingly common, supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. A recent study found that service dogs play a critical role in preventing suicide for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use.

Military veterans face challenges which put them at increased risk of suicide, including traumatic experiences in the line of duty, substance use as a means of coping, and difficulties integrating back into civilian life. To support veterans experiencing PTSD, service dogs can be trained to perform activities such as interrupting harmful behaviours and initiating physical contact during episodes of psychological distress. However, until the findings of this study were published, it was unknown how these dogs also impacted veteran suicidality.

New research: Service dogs and veteran suicidality

The study used interviews to understand the impact of service dogs on the lives of five male Canadian veterans diagnosed with PTSD and using substances in a harmful way. These semi-structured interviews took place every three months, over an 18-month period. The transcripts from these interviews were then analysed, looking for common themes, using thematic analysis.

The findings showed that overall, veterans believed their service dogs were a positive influence in their lives which improved their wellbeing. In particular, participants mentioned the unique social support that dogs provide, giving non-judgmental and unconditional love, even in their darkest moments. This social support also fostered a sense of connection within the service dog organisation community and other veterans with service dogs.

“I need my dog to get out of the dark; I knew enough in my head that I couldn’t do it on my own; I needed to have her guide me out – she is the only guide I have.”

Veterans also identified that their dogs brought meaning, purpose and belonging to their lives, which in turn reduced their feelings of loneliness, helplessness and social isolation—all of which are contributing factors in self-harm and suicidality. The presence of their service dog also reduced their substance use and PTSD symptoms, as well as lowering their levels of depression and anxiety.

“What guys have to understand is they are going to help you with your recovery, they are going to give you a purpose, they are going to give you everything that you could possibly want out of anything. My life is coming back now.”

Support for integration of service dogs into suicide prevention

The study’s findings underscore the profound psychological and emotional support that service dogs can provide to veterans. They also highlight a role for service dogs in veteran suicide prevention strategies. Service dogs can be a lifeline for military veterans who put their life on the line to serve their country, providing more than just help with daily tasks, but a reason to live.

“And I was thinking about getting a hotel and just doing myself in at the hotel… When we were driving there, and then I said, well, I can’t kill myself because [the Dog] is in the room with me being dead all night long–that would kill [the Dog]. And then, where is [Dog] going to go if I die? So, in a way, she is ultimately the one who kept me from doing it.”

Key study findings:

• Service dogs can provide unique social support which facilitates connection with others
• Veterans said their service dogs brought meaning, purpose and belonging to their lives
• Service dogs reduced veterans’ feelings of loneliness, helplessness and social isolation
• Veterans stated that the presence of a service dog reduced their substance use and PTSD symptoms