Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences a traumatic event, like a serious accident, severe injury, military combat, natural disaster, physical or verbal abuse, bullying, or the sudden death of a loved one.
Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, memory loss, distorted thinking, detachment, hypervigilance, and trouble sleeping. To be diagnosed with PTSD, an individual must experience these symptoms for a month or more.
Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. Still, it’s estimated that 5% to 10% will develop symptoms, with women or those assigned female at birth twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. The most common treatments for the condition are talk therapy and medication, though there are complementary therapies that can also help. Owning a pet is one such complementary therapy that can help people with PTSD work through their symptoms by providing emotional and physical support.
Ready to begin finding the right pet for someone with PTSD? Follow these seven steps to find their perfect match.
1. Assess the Individual’s Needs and Preferences
There is no one perfect PTSD therapy animal. When looking for an animal companion, consider the individual’s needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Someone afraid of dogs won’t want to be matched with a canine companion, and an active individual won’t want a low-energy pet like a reptile.
It’s essential to consider the person’s preferred activity level, current living space, and comfort level with different types of animals.
2. Research Different Types of Pets
People living with PTSD can benefit from PTSD service dogs or emotional support animals. Any animal can be an emotional support animal for PTSD. However, the most common types of ESAs are dogs, cats, birds, fish, and small animals. Here’s what you need to know about each.
Dogs
Dogs are ideal for individuals who want to increase their physical activity and develop a predictable routine. The best service dog breeds for PTSD include golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, standard poodles, border collies, Pomeranians, great Danes, and Bernese mountain dogs.
However, while a dog’s breed can contribute to its temperament, dogs are individuals, and not all animals from the same breed will have the same characteristics. The perfect emotional support dog could just as easily be a sweet shelter mutt, a friendly bulldog, or a playful corgi.
Cats
People often wonder whether cats can be emotional support animals. The answer is yes—and a cat may be the best companion for someone with PTSD.
A 2023 American Psychiatry Association (APA) poll found that 86% of cat owners reported their pets having a positive effect on their mental health—and cat owners reported more often than dog owners that their cats provided companionship and a calming presence to help decrease stress and anxiety.
Someone with PTSD might prefer a cat if they are less physically active, prefer cats over dogs, or live in a small apartment unsuitable for a dog.
Other Pets
For those with PTSD who don’t like dogs and cats, owning another type of pet can help manage their symptoms. Birds, fish, reptiles, and small animals like guinea pigs, rats, or rabbits can all provide emotional support and comfort to someone diagnosed with PTSD.
Studies have found that pet owners can develop strong bonds with non-conventional pets as well as they can with cats or dogs. These animals provide other benefits as well. For example, fish offer visual relaxation and a peaceful atmosphere that can calm someone struggling with anxiety.
3. Consider the Pet’s Temperament and Energy Level
It’s essential to find an emotional support animal with a similar temperament and energy level to the individual with PTSD. Choosing the wrong animal could exacerbate the individual’s symptoms.
For example, a hyperactive pet may overwhelm someone with PTSD. In contrast, a calm and affectionate dog or cat can provide a soothing presence that can help them stay calm when experiencing symptoms like flashbacks or hypervigilance.
Also, someone who struggles with sensory sensitivities would be best matched with a calm and gentle animal rather than a playful and rambunctious puppy.
4. Evaluate Practical Factors
In addition to considering the right temperament and energy level, it’s vital to consider practical aspects such as the pet’s size, care requirements, cost, and compatibility with the individual’s living space and lifestyle.
For example, a large, energetic dog may not be suitable for someone living in a small apartment. A smaller pet, like a guinea pig or bird, might be a better fit for this individual.
Larger pets also eat more food, which costs more money each month. Before choosing a pet, it’s essential to check whether the cost of caring for that pet is within the individual’s budget. Failure to do so could lead to the individual needing to give up a pet they’ve bonded with, which could set them back in their recovery.
And finally, the pet’s care requirements must be considered. Longer-haired pets typically require grooming, which may be too much work or expense for some people with PTSD.
5. Visit Shelters or Breeders for Meet-and-Greets
The next step in choosing the right pet for someone with PTSD is to arrange visits to shelters or breeders to meet potential pets and observe their behavior. Before visiting, communicate with the shelter staff or breeder to let them know the requirements for the PTSD support animal so they can find appropriate animals that might fit the bill.
Once there, encourage the individual to interact with the animals to find one they connect with. This step is vital because it can help the individual choose the best animal for them.
For example, a person may instantly bond with a specific animal during a meet-and-greet, helping them decide if the pet is the right fit. On the other hand, an animal that looks like a good fit from its photos and description might be the wrong choice if the individual doesn’t develop a bond with it during the meet-and-greet.
6. Consult Professionals for Guidance
Professionals are there to offer support and guidance for those living with PTSD. This can include advice on the most suitable animal for an individual’s needs and capabilities. Consult licensed mental health professionals, veterinarians, or animal trainers for guidance when seeking emotional support or service animals.
For example, a therapist might recommend a specific dog breed for emotional support based on what they know about their patient. Alternatively, they may suggest a low-maintenance pet for someone with limited time or energy.
7. Prepare for a Smooth Transition
Once the individual has chosen their new pet, it’s time to make a homecoming plan to welcome the pet into the home. Planning ahead can make the transition smoother for both the individual and the pet.
Set up the house with the necessary supplies, such as food, toys, crates, and bedding, and create a calming environment for the pet’s arrival.
It’s advisable to gradually introduce the pet to the individual’s routine and living space, allowing time for both to adjust and build a strong bond. After all, there’s an adjustment period when bringing home a new pet—for the pet and its new owner.
Dog behaviorists, like Patricia McConnell, believe in the “magic of threes”: a new dog may be in shock for the first three days in a new home, but after three weeks, they will have settled in, and the owner will start to notice their real personality. After three months, the dog will be fully settled into its new home and routine.
Conclusion
Finding the best pet for someone with PTSD can be a lengthy process, but it’s well worth the work. By following the seven steps outlined in this article, people with PTSD and their loved ones can be sure that their chosen pet will suit their lifestyle and help ease some of their symptoms.
Throughout the process, it’s essential to be patient and carefully consider the type of animal, its personality and energy level, and the cost of care. The right pet selection for PTSD can provide therapeutic benefits and enhance the quality of life for individuals living with the lingering effects of trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of pets are best for PTSD therapy?
The best pets for PTSD therapy will vary depending on the individual. Many people choose dogs as therapy animals because they can be trained to recognize symptoms and interrupt thought cycles, and they also encourage exercise and social interaction. However, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, and small animals can all help individuals with PTSD.
How do I know if someone with PTSD is ready for a pet?
The easiest way to know whether someone with PTSD is ready for a pet is to ask them. Discuss their living situation to see whether it’s conducive to bringing home a pet. Review their budget to ensure they can afford to care for the animal (and offer financial support if needed). You can also bring up the idea to their mental health professional, who can discuss it with them on a deeper level.
What should I prepare before bringing a pet home for PTSD support?
Before bringing home a pet, ensure that the home is stocked with food, toys, and bedding. You may also need an ESA letter before bringing a new pet home. The best ESA letter services, like Pettable, make the process simple.