The research focuses on clients with PTSD, such as veterans and other emergency service professionals. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how assistance dogs contribute to their wellbeing and how this knowledge can be used to make the training and deployment of assistance dogs more targeted and efficient. The project is expected to run until July 2027.
About the research
Assistance dogs have been shown to have a positive effect on the quality of life of people with occupational PTSD. Demand for these dogs is increasing in the Netherlands, but the cost per trained dog is high, and many people who could benefit from an assistance dog are only eligible at a late stage, or not at all. By gaining clearer insight into exactly what makes a dog effective, the training programme may be organised more efficiently. This could lead to lower costs and a greater number of dogs being available.
Although it is known that assistance dogs are beneficial, it is not yet sufficiently clear which specific tasks and roles of the dog contribute most to improvement, nor whether all users require the same tasks. The research examines, among other things, whether improvement mainly results from specific tasks, such as interrupting nightmares or providing support during panic episodes, or whether some clients benefit more from other tasks. The findings will be translated into practical recommendations for more targeted and efficient training and deployment of assistance dogs.
Research in collaboration with assistance dog organisations
In addition to Candela Hüsgen, Nienke Peters-Scheffer is involved in the project. Both have extensive experience in research into animal-assisted interventions. The study is carried out in collaboration with practice partners from the assistance dog sector, including Hulphond Nederland and KNGF Geleidehonden, as well as organisations working in trauma care.
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