Abstract: Investigating the Molecular Physiology Elicited In Military Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Paired with Psychiatric Service Dogs (Society for Social Work and Research 31st Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Thursday, January 21, 2027

Union Station 24 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)

* noted as presenting author

Jaci Gandenberger, MSW, Research Associate, University of Denver, Denver, CO

Marisa Motiff, MSW, Research Associate, University of Denver, Denver, CO

Kevin Morris, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Executive Director, and the American Humane Endowed Chair, University of Denver, Denver, CO

Background and Purpose
Pairing military veterans with psychiatric service dogs has been associated with reductions in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and improvements in well-being. However, the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. Additionally, limited research has examined how these partnerships impact the health and behavior of service dogs. This study is investigating the molecular physiology associated with veteran–service dog pairings and biological pathways linked to clinical and behavioral outcomes.

Methods
This longitudinal study follows 50 veterans with PTSD and their service dogs across one year. Data are collected prior to pairing and at 1-, 6-, and 12-months post-pairing. Human measures include PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and post-traumatic growth (PTGI). Plasma samples are being analyzed using SomaScan to assay over 11,000 proteins. Linear mixed-effects models are used to examine changes over time, and integrative analyses assess associations between proteomic, clinical, and behavioral data.

Results
Preliminary analyses from a pilot sample of 10 veteran–dog dyads over six months indicate significant decreases in PTSD symptoms (slope = -1.8, p = 0.003) and increases in post-traumatic growth (slope = 1.1, p = 0.048). Substantial variability was observed across individuals in clinical and proteomic trajectories.

Conclusions and Implications
Findings suggest that service dog pairings are associated with measurable clinical improvements and corresponding molecular changes. Ongoing analyses aim to identify proteomic signatures linked to treatment response and dyadic well-being. This research has the potential to inform biomarker development, optimize service dog interventions for PTSD, and support evidence-based practices that promote the health of veterans.