Protective Factors for Veterans and First Responders Mental Health | Fire Team K9
Military and emergency service careers often provide a clear sense of purpose.
The work involves responsibilities, shared objectives, and opportunities to contribute to something larger than oneself.
When service ends or changes, that familiar sense of purpose may also change.
Purpose can come from many sources, including family, relationships, learning, volunteering, recreation, and participation in community life.
Maintaining meaningful activities and valued roles can support psychological well-being, although the evidence that purpose alone prevents occupational PTSD is less direct than the evidence supporting social relationships.
The important consideration is whether people have opportunities to participate in activities that matter to them.
Where Dogs Can Participate
Caring for and working with a dog can create meaningful routines and responsibilities.
Training sessions, daily walks, recreational activities, and shared goals provide opportunities to participate in something that requires attention and consistency.
For service dog handlers, the partnership may become an important part of everyday life.
For facility dog participants, structured activities may introduce new interests, volunteering opportunities, or community involvement.
However, responsibility for an animal is not universally beneficial. Caregiving demands, financial costs, and the dog’s needs must be considered. A dog should not be presented as an obligation someone must take on to improve their mental health.
Facility dog programs can offer opportunities to engage with dogs without requiring personal ownership.
Putting the Protective Factor Into Practice
Consider choosing an activity that connects with something you value.
This might involve learning a new skill, participating in a community program, helping others, or spending time outdoors.
Dog-assisted activities can offer one way to explore those interests.
The purpose of the activity should be meaningful to the participant, rather than imposed by the program.
A question to consider: What activities give you a sense of meaning outside your occupational responsibilities?
References
Wild, J., et al. (2021). Prospective risk and protective factors for psychopathology and wellbeing in civilian emergency services personnel: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33388463/
Leighton, S. C., et al. (2024). Service dogs for veterans and military members with posttraumatic stress disorder. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2414686. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.14686
Evidence note: These studies provide occupational mental health and service dog context, but neither directly establishes that dog-related purpose prevents PTSD.
