Reporting for duty: how companion pets help military veterans

...of loneliness and depression. While not every circumstance is unique to military service, there are distinct junctures in a veteran’s life when a companion pet might be just what the doctor ordered: Transitioning from service to civilian life Upon separating from service, many veterans feel lost without the structure, discipline and routine associated with the military. Some return to a life that they no longer recognize and feel disconnected even from close friends or family, while others struggle to translate their military skills into a civilian job. Overall, more than a quarter of veterans report difficulty re-entering life after the military, with higher incidences among post-9/11 veterans, as well as those who were seriously injured or experienced a traumatic event. For many of these veterans, companion animals provide the routine and discipline that they experienced in the military, but find lacking in their post-service lives. Caring for a pet provides structure and purpose – a reason to get up in the morning – and marries well with the mission focus and sense of duty that typifies military personnel. Equally important, a pet is someone to talk to who always listens, always loves you and never spills your secrets. Some veterans who have difficulty sharing their military experiences with even those closest to them are able to talk to their four-legged friends. Ease the impacts of PTSD, depression and anxiety In 2010, more than 408,000 veterans sought treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD; these cases are on the rise as more post-9/11 veterans return from combat deployments. Often associated with depression and anxiety, veterans coping with PTSD may experience a range of symptoms, including insomnia, difficulty relating to others, nightmares, panic attacks and self-isolation. For individuals whose symptoms are so severe that they rise to the level of disability, a mental health provider may prescribe a psychiatric service animal – sometimes called a “PTSD dog” – to help the veteran participate in the basic activities of daily life. However, the vast majority of veterans neither need nor qualify for a service animal, even if they have PTSD, depression or another psychological condition, but most can be helped by a companion pet (learn more about the difference between service animals and companion pets). By demanding attention and affection, companion pets force their guardians to focus on the animal’s needs, displacing behaviors where people dwell on their own circumstances and problems. A pet’s needs demand action, whether it is to be fed, groomed or out for daily walks – and these demands and their immediacy (“pet me now”) help veterans coping with psychological trauma regain a sense of purpose, confidence and optimism in their lives. Companion pets can even help veterans re-establish relationships with people by acting as a social bridge, leading some to call them “surrogate humans.” Fill the void of a deployed love one Deployments are stressful for both the service member and the family left behind. While a pet is not a replacement for a deployed service member, it can make life apart less challenging for all involved. Spouses or partners are comforted by a pet to help guard the home front and provide a much-needed sense of security. For children, a dog or cat becomes a combination of sibling, friend and confidant with whom they can share fears about a parent’s absence. The very act of rescuing a pet through adoption makes children feel good, in addition to the positive effects companion animals have on their self-esteem. Much like with adults, pets help children ward off loneliness, boost confidence and develop a stronger sense of responsibility. On the most basic level, however, pets provide an opportunity to share something fun, positive and happy – an antidote to deployment stress.