Understanding Strategies for Matching Service Dogs to Military Veterans With PTSD

Using a multiple case study design, we sought to understand existing matching strategies used to pair service dogs with US military veterans dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Three different US-based service dog agencies (one large, one midsize, and one small) participated, allowing the principal investigator to conduct in-depth interviews with agency staff and leaders to understand and observe their matching/pairing practices. Participants described their agencies’ matching practices, factors/characteristics about veterans used in the matching process, and factors/characteristics about dogs considered. Each agency utilized thorough processes to assess and match veterans with service dogs. Special emphasis was placed on assuring candidate dogs have nonaggressive temperaments, seek human attention, pass scent testing, and have the physical ability to perform as service dogs. Findings revealed limited differences between the matching practices of the participating agencies. All three purport to find the “best fit” for each dog/veteran team considering the veteran’s specific needs/goals, physical/mental abilities, lifestyle, level of PTSD symptoms, expectations of their service dog, experience/knowledge caring for a dog, and their home/work environment. Findings highlight the need for standardized research-informed assessment tools and strategies to match veterans to service dogs.