Service Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs Not the Same

"Study examines impact of service dogs on veterans with PTSD" on Stars and Stripes by By Matthew M. Burke, January 31, 2015, is a great article on a new study for service dogs and PTSD veterans.

The study will follow 220 veterans from three regions in the United States: Atlanta, Ga.; Iowa City, Iowa; and Portland, Ore. Half the veterans will receive service dogs and the other half will receive emotional support dogs.

The difference between the dogs is stark.

The service dogs have five specific abilities based on commands they receive from their owner.

The first is “block,” according to Fallon. When directed, the dog will stand in front of the veteran, offering a barrier and space. The second command is “behind,” which tells the dog to position itself behind the veteran.

The third command is “lights,” Fallon said. When this command is given, the dog will enter a room before the veteran and turn on the lights so they don’t have to enter a dark space.

The fourth command is “sweep.” The dog will enter a room or house and sweep it for people or intruders, alerting the veteran by barking.

The final command is “bring,” Fallon said, so the dog will fetch an item and bring it to the veteran.

Emotional support dogs are not trained for specific tasks but are AKC-certified and provide comfort and companionship, Fallon said. Unlike service dogs, they have limited access to public places. They will also be studied for any potential benefits.

After the veterans receive their dogs, study teams will visit the veterans in their homes quarterly to check the safety of the dogs and the veterans and to assess their impact.

The VA will be enrolling veterans for the next two years, Fallon said. Once enrolled, the assessments begin. The study will take 18 months after the veterans receive their dogs.

The VA has committed more than $10 million to the study, Fallon said, and hopes to have publishable results by 2018 or 2019.