Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after someone experiences a shocking, dangerous, scary, or traumatic event. While some people can move past the trauma, others continue to experience problems for a prolonged period. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a person can be diagnosed with PTSD after having severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives for more than 1 month.
PTSD is common in combat veterans, survivors of violence or sexual assault, those who live through disasters, and more. Some of the biggest challenges include flashbacks, recurring memories or dreams of the event, distressing thoughts, emotional instability, and anxiety. Traditional therapies, like counseling and medication, can often benefit from additional support.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) can help individuals with PTSD in several ways. They are companions who provide critical emotional and mental health support, and research suggests that animal interactions and support can be beneficial for many mental health disorders alongside traditional treatments. Learn more about how ESAs help PTSD symptoms.
Providing Unconditional Emotional Support
ESAs offer constant, non-judgemental emotional support, which can help individuals with PTSD feel safe and loved—especially during challenging moments. For example, a person experiencing a PTSD episode might find comfort in the calming presence of their ESA, who remains with them during moments of emotional distress.
Reducing Anxiety and Stress
Emotional support animals help lower anxiety and stress levels in individuals with PTSD, offering comfort through physical touch and companionship. They can act as a grounding presence during anxious moments.
Research shows that petting a dog or cat lowers cortisol levels, helping to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety in individuals with PTSD. A 2019 study set up five- to 45-minute animal visitation programs (AVPs) for college students to pet animals (including dogs and cats) and tested the students’ salivary cortisol levels upon waking and after their session ended. The results showed a notable decrease in cortisol levels after the students pet the animals. The same decrease can help individuals with PTSD lower their cortisol levels during times of high stress. That’s why many people consider emotional support animals for anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
Assisting With Emotional Regulation
People with PTSD may struggle to regulate their emotions when they’re experiencing PTSD symptoms. ESAs can help individuals with PTSD manage their emotions by providing a calming presence during emotional highs and lows, allowing the person to focus on their pet instead of their distressing emotions.
Having an ESA nearby can help someone stay calm when they start feeling overwhelmed, distracting them from negative emotional spirals. A 2023 study in the Journal of Human Research in Rehabilitation found that simply being around dogs in a therapeutic setup increased emotional regulation, as well as decreasing depressive symptoms and improving individuals’ memory and attention.
Helping With Nighttime Anxiety and Nightmares
Nightmares and nighttime anxiety are common symptoms for individuals with PTSD. These symptoms can severely disrupt sleep. ESAs offer comfort and reassurance, helping people sleep better by reducing anxiety before and during sleep.
An ESA, such as a dog sleeping in the room, can provide comfort and reduce nighttime awakenings or nightmares, making sleep more restful. A 2020 study published by Frontiers in Psychology found that 57% of veterans reported that their service dog helped them with trauma-related nightmares. ESAs can learn to recognize the signs of physical distress at night, allowing them to wake an individual with PTSD when they’re having a nightmare and offer them comfort.
Offering Routine and Structure
Caring for an ESA creates a sense of routine and structure in daily life, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with PTSD who need consistency to manage their symptoms. A predictable routine helps those with PTSD know what to expect each day, which can give them a sense of purpose. Feeding, grooming, or walking an ESA at the exact same times every day provides a sense of responsibility and helps individuals stay grounded in their routines.
The 2020 Frontiers in Psychology study found that veterans rated their service dogs’ untrained tasks, including the ability to help the veteran set a predictable routine, as more important overall than their dogs’ trained tasks (like waking the veteran from a nightmare).
Easing Social Isolation and Encouraging Interaction
ESAs help combat social isolation, which is a common issue for individuals with PTSD. They offer companionship, making it easier for people to feel connected and less alone, and may also encourage social interactions with others.
For example, walking a dog can lead to casual social interactions with neighbors or strangers, allowing individuals with PTSD to practice social engagement in a low-pressure environment. Without the dog’s presence, the individual may avoid social interactions, which can increase social isolation. A study by the University of Toledo paired participants with a shelter dog or cat through the Hope and Recovery Pet Program for 12 months. After the study period ended, researchers noted a significant decrease in feelings of loneliness (as well as anxiety and depression) in participants.
Grounding During Flashbacks or Panic Attacks
Debilitating flashbacks and panic attacks are common in individuals with PTSD. ESAs can help individuals stay grounded when faced with flashbacks or panic attacks, offering physical comfort that brings them back to the present moment and reduces the intensity of the episode.
For example, an ESA can be trained to recognize signs of panic or distress in their owner with PTSD. They might nuzzle or lick their owner or place their head in their owner’s lap to redirect their attention or interrupt their intrusive thoughts, helping them focus on the here and now instead of being overwhelmed by the flashback.
Conclusion
There are numerous benefits of emotional support animals for PTSD patients. They can help their owners regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, and develop a sense of routine—not to mention the love and companionship they offer. ESAs can also help individuals with autism, anxiety and depression, and other mental health conditions that impact their daily lives.
If you or a loved one is dealing with PTSD symptoms, consider whether an emotional support animal could be a helpful addition to your mental health management plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an emotional support animal for PTSD?
If you think an emotional support animal could complement your PTSD treatment plan, you can get an official ESA letter. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), an ESA letter gives you the right to keep an emotional support animal in your home, regardless of landlord rules or housing policies. Once you have your letter, you can search for your perfect pet. Research the most reliable online ESA letter providers (like Pettable) to find the right one for you.
What types of animals make the best emotional support pets for PTSD?
Dogs and cats usually make the pest emotional support pets for PTSD. Dogs, especially, can be trained to recognize the signs of flashbacks, nightmares, and other PTSD symptoms and can perform tasks to interrupt your thought patterns and bring you back to the moment.
How can I train an emotional support animal to help with PTSD symptoms?
An emotional support animal doesn’t require specific training to offer emotional support and regulation for individuals with PTSD. However, you can train your pet to sense when you’re experiencing symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares so they can interrupt or wake you.