Page 53 - JSOM Winter 2017

about the number of survey participants in each BH occupa- 14. Fletcher CE, Mitchinson AR, Trumble EL, et al. Perceptions of
tional category. providers and administrators in the Veterans Health Adminis-
tration regarding complementary and alternative medicine. Med
Care. 2014;52(12 suppl 5):S91–96.
Conclusion 15. Moody W, King R, O’Rourke S. Attitudes of paediatric medical
ward staff to a dog visitation programme. J Clin Nurs. 2002;11
This study assessed BH staff attitudes regarding the impact (4):537–544.
of a year-long AAT dog program on active-duty Servicemem-
bers with BH diagnoses. Results indicated the staff attitudes
about the impact of the program on the BH patients were
overwhelming positive, with most staff observing a positive
impact on the patients and unanimously supporting the con-
tinuation of the program. Overall, this study provides support
for the initiation and/or continuation of AAT dog programs at
military hospitals for BH patients.

Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.

Author Contributions
S.M.B. and A.H.D. designed the study, performed data analy-
sis and interpretation of the work, and provided a critical revi-
sion of the article. S.M.B. collected the data and drafted the
article. Both authors gave final approval of the version to be
published. Association of Police Officer
Paramedics of the United States
References
1. Furst G. Prison-based animal programs: a national survey. Prison
J. 2006;86(4):407–430.
2. Beetz A, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Julius H, et al. Psychosocial and psy-
chophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the pos-
sible role of oxytocin. Front Psychol. 2012;3:1–12.
3. Uvnäs-Moberg K, Arn I, Magnusson D. The psychobiology of
emotion: the role of the oxytocinergic system. Int J Behav Med.
2005;12(2):59–65.
4. Lutzky-Cohen N. Motivation to use animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
among counselling and clinical psychology graduate students.
Doctoral dissertation; University of Toronto. 2016. https://tspace
.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/71682/3/Lutzky-Cohen
_Noga_201603_MA_thesis.pdf. Accessed 4 November 2017.
5. Rabbitt SM, Kazdin AE, Hong JE. Acceptability of animal-as-
sisted therapy: attitudes toward AAT, psychotherapy, and medi-
cation for the treatment of child disruptive behavioral problems. The mission of the APOPUS is to advocate for cross-
Anthrozoös. 2014;27(3):335–350. trained police officer EMT/paramedics across the
6. Allen K. Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, United States. Our advocacy exists in two broad
friends, and spouses: the truth about cats and dogs. Psychosom areas. The first is in securing discounted training and
Med. 2002;64(5):727–739. education, travel, equipment and supplies, exhibitions,
7. Odendaal J, Meintjes R. Neurophysiological correlates of affili- competitions and certifications. The second is to foster
ative behaviour between humans and dogs. Vet J. 2003;165(3): professional discourse and communication between
296–301. our members by recommending pertinent professional
8. Miller S, Kennedy C, Devoe D, et al. An examination of changes journals and articles as well as high-quality initial and
in oxytocin levels in men and women before and after interaction sustainment training centers. In doing so, the APOPUS
with a bonded dog. Anthrozoös. 2009;22(1):31–42. seeks ultimately to advance both the recognition and
9. Brooks H, Rushton K, Walker S, et al. Ontological security and career opportunities of our members in the United
connectivity provided by pets: a study in the self-management of States and abroad.
the everyday lives of people diagnosed with a long-term mental
health condition. BMC Psychiatry. 2016;16(1):409. www.apopus.com
10. Ross E. Pets help people manage the pain of serious mental ill-
ness. NPR.org. 9 December 2016. http://www.npr.org/sections/
health-shots/2016/12/09/504971146/pets-help-people-manage-
life-with-serious-mental-illness. Accessed 4 November 2017.
11. Chumley P. Historical perspectives of the human-animal bond
within the Department of Defense. US Army Med Dep J. 2012;
Apr–June:18–20.
12. Velde B, Cipriani J, Fisher G. Resident and therapist views of
animal-assisted therapy: implications for occupational therapy
practice. Aust Occup Ther J. 2005;52:43–50.
13. Berget B, Grepperud S, Aasland OG, et al. Animal-assisted in-
terventions and psychiatric disorders: knowledge and attitudes
among general practitioners, psychiatrists, and psychologists. Soc
Anim. 2013;21(3):284–293.

Therapy Dogs and Military Behavioral Health Patients | 51