Contact with a Service Dog Might Help Individuals with PTSD Sleep Better

A study involving U.S. military veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that their heart rates were lower during sleep when they were in close proximity to a service dog, compared to nights without one. This effect was more significant among those with more severe PTSD symptoms. The study was published in Biological Psychology.

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including intrusive and distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbing. People with PTSD often avoid reminders of the trauma, have negative changes in mood and cognition, and experience heightened arousal and reactivity, such as being easily startled or irritable.

Read the full article here – https://www.psypost.org/2023/10/contact-with-a-service-dog-might-help-individuals-with-ptsd-sleep-better-study-finds-214134