Research
Warrior Canine Connection Executive Director Rick Yount and Director of Research Meg Daley Olmert work to identify and pursue research opportunities that explore why training a service dog relieves symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. It is hoped that this research will provide scientific evidence that dogs are providing powerful therapeutic support that improves the lives of wounded Warriors and their loved ones.
Meg is the author of Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond (DaCapo, 2009). In her book, which was the result of 15 years of research, she explains how friendly interaction with dogs can release a powerful brain chemistry that inspires our profound sense of attachment to them. This chemical reaction can also reduce fear and anxiety, and increase a sense of trust in each other.
Together, Rick and Meg published an article in the Army Medical Journal on the need to scientifically demonstrate the benefits of Canine Connection Therapy. They have also collaborated with researchers to carry out necessary studies at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and private academic institutions. You can read their article here.
See a list of resources below for research and evidence-based insights on the powerful bond between humans and dogs.
Preetha Abraham, Josh Kazman, Joshua A Bonner, Meg Olmert, Rick Yount, Patricia Deuster (2021, November 19), Effects of training service dogs on service members with PTSD: A pilot-feasibility randomized study with mixed methods
Philip Tedeschi, Meredith L. Sisa, Meg Daley Olmert, Nancy Parish-Plass, Rick Yount (2015), Treating Human Trauma with the Help of Animals: Trauma Informed Intervention for Child Maltreatment and Adult Post-Traumatic Stress
