Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that Service Members with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) who participate in the Service Dog Training Program (SDTP) report improved physical and psychological outcomes, including those with overlapping symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion symptoms (PCS). This study intends to examine the psychological, social, and biological effects of learning how to train a future service dog combined with standard of care for individuals with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), including those with overlapping TBI and persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PCS). Biological, social, and behavioral measures will be collected throughout study participation.
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Change in symptom severity using the Post-traumatic Stress Checklist (PCL-5)
Timeframe: The PCL-5 will be collected at screening as part of the inclusion criteria, and subsequently once a week until the end of the 10-week study period, as well as at the 3-month follow-up visit.
Change in symptom severity using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Timeframe: The GAD-7 will be collected once a week from start of study until the end of the 10-week study period, as well as at the 3-month follow-up visit.
Change in symptom severity using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Timeframe: The PHQ-9 will be collected once a week from start of study until the end of the 10-week study period, as well as at the 3-month follow-up visit.
Change in symptom severity using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)
Timeframe: The CD-RISC will be completed at the 4-week, 7-week, 10-week, and 3-month follow-up visits.
Change in symptom severity using the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS)
Timeframe: The DVPRS will be completed at the 4-week, 7-week, 10-week, and 3-month follow-up visits, as well as after each participant training session (twice a week).
Change in symptom severity using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Timeframe: The PSS will be completed at the 4-week, 7-week, 10-week, and 3-month follow-up visits.
Change in symptom severity using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Timeframe: The PSQI will be completed at the 4-week, 7-week, 10-week, and 3-month follow-up visits.
Change in symptom severity using the CDC's Health-related Quality of Life Instrument (HRQOL-14)
Timeframe: The HRQOL-14 will be completed at the 4-week, 7-week, 10-week, and 3-month follow-up visits.
Changes in cortisol
Timeframe: Blood will be collected at baseline (Week 0-1), Week 3, Week 6, and at the 3 month follow-up visit.
Changes in cytokines
Timeframe: Blood will be collected at baseline (Week 0-1), Week 3, Week 6, and at the 3 month follow-up visit.
Gene expression
Timeframe: Blood will be collected at baseline for full genome sequencing.