Analyzing the Impact of Companion Dogs as a Protective Factor for Prevention of Suicidality in Veterans

Veteran suicidality is a public health crisis. Identifying additional support mechanisms for veteran mental health is imperative to address this crisis. The aim of the proposed study is to explore the quantitative and qualitative impacts of companion dogs on veteran suicidality and mental health. A total of 128 veterans will participate in the study (n = 64 in the companion dog group, n = 64 in the control group). Veterans will take a cross-sectional survey consisting of validated clinical measures and open-ended questions focused on suicidality and mental health. A subset of veterans with companion dogs (n = 30) will also be recruited for semi-structured in-depth interviews to capture their lived experiences. We hypothesize that veterans with companion dogs will have lower suicidality, depression, loneliness, and anxiety than veterans without companion dogs. Through qualitative interviews, we seek to explore the relationship between veterans and companion dogs to understand the role that the dogs may have as a risk and/or protective factor for suicidality. Findings from the proposed study will provide insight as to the role that companion dogs may play in the suicidality of the veterans with whom they live. These insights may identify a potential risk factor that needs intentional mitigation (e.g., emotional support after the death of a companion dog) as well as identify a potential protective factor (e.g. psychosocial support) already accessible to many veterans. Results may provide a foundation for the development of suicide prevention strategies that incorporate companion dogs. Future studies will strategically build on this foundational project, developing and evaluating potential suicide prevention strategies (e.g. safety plan procedures, education programs) that consider the role of companion dogs.