Dog training as a complementary intervention to support Veteran mental health and well-being: A scoping review.

Van Buiten H and Flynn E and Morris KN

Complementary therapies in clinical practice (2021) 44: 101425

DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101425

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Military veterans in the United States face a number of complex issues and barriers to successful civilian reintegration. Dog training programs offered to these individuals are being used as a complementary intervention to support multiple aspects of veteran reintegration. This scoping review explored the existing literature on dog training programs as a support for veteran mental health and well-being. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to analyze the existing research on this topic. RESULTS: Five overarching themes were identified, including improvements to mental health, social benefits, a developed sense of purpose, differing impacts of training methods, and potential negative outcomes associated with stressful demands of training. CONCLUSION: The results of this review suggested dog training programs have potentially positive effects on veteran mental health but also revealed a few potential negative impacts and the need for further research on this animal-assisted intervention.

Citation

Van Buiten H, Flynn E, & Morris KN. (2021). Dog training as a complementary intervention to support Veteran mental health and well-being: A scoping review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 44, 101425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101425 Animals, Humans, Dogs, United States, Mental Health, *Veterans

Keywords

• Animals
• Humans
• Dogs
• United States
• Mental Health
• *Veterans