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Office of Research & Development

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VA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder/Service Dog Study

In accordance with Section 1077 of Public Law 111-84, VA has conducted a study to evaluate whether service dogs or emotional support dogs can mitigate the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans. As required, VA is submitting the results of the study for review by the National Academies of Science , Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) for review. Once the findings have been reviewed for scientific accuracy by NASEM, the results of the study will be released to Congress and the public by VA.

To assist NASEM in their review, supplemental documents are being made available on this website.

Supplemental documents:

  1. Contract statement of work for procuring dogs for the study.
  2. The complete set of study forms used to conduct the study.
  3. The dog care course and assessment taken by Veterans prior to receiving a dog.


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Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.