Department of Family & Community Services

Evaluation of the Trial of Assistance Dogs as an Adjunct to Therapy for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – (DVA)

Evolution Research was engaged to undertake an independent evaluation of the four-year Trial of Assistance Dogs as an Adjunct to Therapy for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Veterans Affairs’ (DVA). The evaluation was designed to determine the feasibility of using specifically trained assistance dogs as an adjunct to evidence-based treatment for PTSD in a veteran population, any unintended positive or negative impacts on veterans, their families and carers from participation in the project, any unintended positive or negative impacts on the assistance dogs from participation in the project; and to provide recommendations for key considerations and adaptations to the model required for input into policy and program development that would enhance the department’s Psychiatric Assistance Dog (PAD) Program. A mixed methods approach was utilised in the design of this study, incorporating validated surveys, qualitative interviews, written survey and focus groups. Stakeholders included veterans participating in the Trial, veteran support people, treating psychologists and psychiatrists, service delivery providers and DVA staff overseeing the Trial. The evaluation commenced during the first year of the Trial, enabling iterative changes to contribute to the effectiveness of processes throughout the life of the Trial.