Many veterans can develop PTSD (Post Traumatic Disorder) from trauma that occurs during combat after spending years in the military. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 30% of veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime. This is where Great Danes come in to provide the support that these individuals need.
A study conducted in Colorado from the American Psychological Association, found that Great Danes have the ability to form intimate and meaningful relationships with individuals with PTSD or war injuries. The cause of this is the quality time that veterans spend with a service dog. It has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety in their daily lives, similar to having a partner or friend to help them get through their day. This is crucial in the process of rehabilitation for veterans because their trauma can cause difficulty in maintaining friendships and romantic relationships with others due to the violence they endured in the past.
Some of the ways that service dogs are beneficial for the psychological health of veterans include spending time outdoors in nature, exercising, or playing which allows them to clear their mind from the past trauma they might be thinking about. Owning a dog also allows these individuals to start creating social connections with other pet owners, which reduces feelings of loneliness. This helps them step out of their comfort zone and feel more comfortable in human interactions.
Along with that, when they are inside their homes and start to feel like they are unsafe, the service dogs are trained to look out or investigate any sounds around the house that can trigger PTSD in veterans. The presence of a dog in a home decreases social isolation and increases physical activity, which overall lead to an improvement in mental health.