Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Study of Dog Adoption in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (NCT NCT01729026)

NCT ID: NCT01729026

Last Updated: 2020-06-02

Results Overview

The PCL-5 is a self-rating scale based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The range of the scale is from 0 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

• Recruitment status: COMPLETED
• Study phase: EARLY_PHASE1
• Target enrollment: 19 participants
• Primary outcome timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up visit.
• Results posted on: 2020-06-02

Participant Flow

Enrollment opened in October 2013 and closed at the end of September 2014. Subjects learned about the study primarily from clinical staff or from posters and brochures that were distributed throughout the clinics of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio.

Two of the 22 consented subjects were not randomized: one left before he was evaluated and the second did not meet entry criteria. A third subject was randomized to the Adoption group but subsequently found not to meet criteria for PTSD, leaving 9 in this group and 10 in the Wait-List group.

Participant milestones

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Randomization to 3-month Follow-up STARTED	9	10
Randomization to 3-month Follow-up COMPLETED	7	8
Randomization to 3-month Follow-up NOT COMPLETED	2	2
3-month to 6-month (Final) Follow-up STARTED	7	8
3-month to 6-month (Final) Follow-up COMPLETED	6	6
3-month to 6-month (Final) Follow-up NOT COMPLETED	1	2

Reasons for withdrawal

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Randomization to 3-month Follow-up Lost to Follow-up	2	2
3-month to 6-month (Final) Follow-up Lost to Follow-up	1	2

Baseline Characteristics

A Study of Dog Adoption in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Total n=19 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	45.0 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.8 • n=5 Participants	39.2 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.4 • n=7 Participants	42.1 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	3 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	8 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	6 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	11 Participants n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up visit.

The PCL-5 is a self-rating scale based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The range of the scale is from 0 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) Score Between Baseline and 3-month Follow-up	-15.20 units on a scale Standard Error 3.52	-7.77 units on a scale Standard Error 3.29

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS) is a semi-structured interview that assesses the severity of current symptoms for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The total score ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Total Score on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS)	1.4 units on a scale Standard Error 3.0	1.5 units on a scale Standard Error 2.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Self-rating scale that assesses the frequency and extent of hazardous drinking. The range of the scale is from 0 (no hazardous drinking) to 12 (extremely hazardous drinking).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) Total Score	-0.5 units on a scale Standard Error 0.6	0.7 units on a scale Standard Error 0.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The Beck Depression Inventory - II is a self rating scale that assesses the severity of depressive symptoms. The range of the scale is from 0 (no symptoms) to 63 (maximal symptoms).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Beck Depression Inventory - II (BDI-II) Score	-6.41 units on a scale Standard Error 1.72	-0.19 units on a scale Standard Error 1.50

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up visit

Self-rating scale that assesses the extent of a subject's integration into her or his community. The range of the scale is from 0 (minimal integration) to 29 (maximal integration). A positive change indicates an improvement in integration.

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) Total Score	2.9 units on a scale Standard Error 1.1	2.1 units on a scale Standard Error 1.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a self-rating scale that assesses the severity of the symptoms of a major depressive episode. Scores range from 0 (no symptoms) to 27 (maximal symptoms).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Score	-4.07 units on a scale Standard Error 1.20	0.71 units on a scale Standard Error 1.13

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The PAQ is a self-rating scale that assesses the frequency and intensity of various types of physical activity over the previous 3 months. The percent reporting increased frequency of physical activity sessions can range from 0 to 100.

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Percent of Subjects Reporting More Frequent Physical Activity Sessions on the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ)	40 percent of participants	33 percent of participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Self-rating scale that assesses the frequency and severity of various sleep-related problems, including problems that frequently occur in persons with PTSD. Scores range from 0 (excellent sleep quality) to 42 (very poor sleep quality).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in the Global Score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory With PTSD Addendum (PSQI-A)	-1.3 units on a scale Standard Error 1.4	1.3 units on a scale Standard Error 1.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 1-month, 3-month, 4-month, and 6-month follow-up visits, as well as 2-week, 2-month, and 4.5-month phone calls

Population: Participants who had a dog for 3 months.

Interview that asks open-ended questions to assess the subject's symptoms, quality of life, and experiences related to having a dog

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=6 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=4 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Number of Participants With Improvement in Quality of Life After Dog Adoption	5 Participants	4 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Version 3 is a self-rating scale that measures the severity of symptoms of loneliness. The range of the scale if from 20 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Change in Scores on the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Version 3	-7.8 units on a scale Standard Error 3.5	3.4 units on a scale Standard Error 3.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month Follow-up

The VR-12 is a12-item self-rating scale that assess health-related quality of life. The results are expressed as two scores, a Mental Component Score and a Physical Component Score. The Mental Component Score measures mental aspects of quality of life and ranges from 0 (extremely poor mental health) to 100 (extremely good mental health), while the Physical Component Score measures physical aspects of quality of life and also ranges from 0 (extremely poor physical health) to 100 (extremely good physical health).

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Changes in the Mental Component Score of the Veterans RAND 12-item Health Survey (VR-12)	6.01 units on a scale Standard Error 4.34	2.30 units on a scale Standard Error 4.06

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

The NPS asks patients to rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain)

Outcome measures

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 Participants Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 Participants After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Changes in Current Pain Ratings on the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain Intensity (NPS)	-0.1 units on a scale Standard Error 0.7	-1.6 units on a scale Standard Error 0.7

Adverse Events

Shelter Dog Adoption

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 5 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 4 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Measure	Shelter Dog Adoption n=9 participants at risk Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.	Wait-list, Then Adoption After 3 Months n=10 participants at risk After 3 months on a wait-list, Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help of a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian. Shelter Dog Adoption: Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.
Psychiatric disorders Emotional distress - reasons given under Additional Description	55.6% 5/9 • Number of events 5 • 6 months	40.0% 4/10 • Number of events 6 • 6 months

Additional Information

Dr. Stephen Stern

South Texas Veterans Health Care System; University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Phone: 210-887-3754

Email: stephen.stern@va.gov; sterns@uthscsa.edu

Results disclosure agreements

• Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
• Publication restrictions are in place