Research Prospectus WP FINAL COPY

Animal Therapy for PTSD 1

Running head: THE SUCCESS OF ANIMAL THERAPY FOR VETERANS DIAGNOSED WITH PTSD

How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Whitney Palsa and Gregory Roberts, MS

University of Arkansas Fort Smith

Department of Psychology


Check List and Scoring of the PROSPECTUS

POINTS Item Check Contents

3 Cover Page 1. Header with page# (This will continue throughout the paper.)2. Running head: THE RUNNING HEAD IS WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS3. Title of your paper: Upper and Lower Case Letters. It must reflect your

main variables and the intended participants.4. Authors: Your name and Rita L. Barrett, Ph.D.5. Institution and Department***ALL MARGINS ARE TO SET AT 1 INCH (top, bottom, left and

right margins)***

2 Check List Before you submit your final manuscript, review this list. To be sure that each item is completed, check it off.

3 Keywords1. Center a list of 7 – 10 words that can be used to specifically and

uniquely about your study. These will include your main variables and additional search words

2. Each Keyword should contain no more than 2 words

2 Table of Contents1. In Roman numeral format2. Include the correct page numbers

2 List of Figures**Include this page even if you do not have “Figures”.**

5 Introduction1. State the problem of which you are intending to research. ‘Must be 1

(one) full page [21 full lines of text.] 2. Answer these questions: What is the problem? What is the significance

of the problem in everyday living? What are the current solutions/resolutions to the problem? What needs to be done to treat, resolve, and prevent this problem?

30 Literature Review (Do not use this word in your paper, use the title of your prospectus.)

1. Are the references properly cited in APA format? Do all of the references cited here appear on the reference page?

2. Be sure that there are NO quotations and that you have not plagiarized; paraphrase what you have read.

3. Do you have the required number of pages (21 lines per page constitutes a complete page; this is EXCLUSIVE of the section title)

4. Are your paragraphs at least 8 sentences in length?

10 Rationale1. Approx. two connecting sentences from Lit Review.2. Sentences about a particular study or group of studies noted in the Lit

Review upon which you are proposing your study. 3. State whether you are replicating a study, replicating with a change or

that you are proposing to address a question that is missing from the literature. [Preferably the latter.]

4. State your hypothesis (es).


POINTS Item Check Contents

8 Operational Definitions

1. Demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, classification, hometown)

2. Main Variables (the critical variables for each Experiment)

24 Methods 1. Subjects (8 pts )2. Instrument (8 pts )3. Procedures (8 pts)

5 Variable Chart1. Draw a diagram that depicts the levels of your main variables and

which variables you intend to compare/test. 2. The organizational chart format slide within MS PowerPoint is a

good choice.

3 List of Appendices 1. Have you listed each Appendix in the order in which it appears

and included the page numbers?2. Appendix A Consent Form and Ethics Certification3. Appendix B Instrument 4. Appendix C Key Code 5. Appendix D Debriefing form6. Appendix E SPSS Variable View

45 Appendices Appendix A Consent form (3 pts) and Ethics Certification (10 pts)= __Appendix B Instrument(s) (20 pts) = ___Appendix C Key Code for Instrument(s) (5 pts) = ___Appendix D Debriefing Form (2 pts) = ___Appendix E SPSS Variable View ( 5 pts) = ___

8 References

1. Do all references cited in the page appear on the reference page? Are all references properly cited in APA format (e.g., punctuation, capitalization, etc.)?

2. Is this the LAST PAGE of your paper?

3. There should be 7 empirical studies and 1 review article.

Prospectus Check List (continued)


Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a highly discussed issue among soldiers, veterans,

psychologists, and doctors. Animal-assisted therapy is a fairly new type of out-patient treatment.

There is limited research on animal therapy to aid in the coping of post-traumatic stress disorder

in veterans. This study looks at the effects of animal-assisted therapy with veterans who have

been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. We will exam the individuals with treatment

such as group therapy or medication compared to individuals with animal therapy as treatment.

Six participants, three male and three female, age 25-35, who served in the Iraq or Afghanistan

wars, will be selected in this study. The questionnaire will be designed to record progress or

regress in the symptoms of PTSD. We hypothesize that there will be successful effects with

animal assisted-therapy for dealing with PTSD among recent veterans.


Keywords

Animal-assisted Therapy

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Veterans

Afghanistan/Iraq War

Out-patient Therapy

Longitudinal Study

Canine Therapy


Table of Contents

Abstract 4

Keywords 5

List of Figures 7

I. Introduction 8

II. Literature Review 9

III. Rationale 12

IV. Operational Definitions 13

V. Methods 14

A. ParticipantsB. InstrumentsC. Procedures

VI. Variable Chart 16

VII. List of Appendices 17

A. APPENDIX A: Consent Form 18B: APPENDIX B: Survey of Animal Therapy Manage in Veterans 26C. APPENDIX C: Key Code 28D. APPENDIX D: Debriefing Form 30E. APPENDIX E: Statistical Analysis (ATMPV variable view) 31

References 32


List of Figures

Fig. 1

Fig. 2


Introduction

Post-traumatic stress disorder has recently attracted public attention because of the

impact of international terrorism. The understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder is

incomplete. (Zohar, 2008) Thousands of service men and women of all ranks have been

psychologically wounded and subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or

symptoms of PTSD. (Murray, 2007) With so many soldiers returning home with this disorder, it

is important that we find proper treatments for these individuals. Veterans deal with flashbacks,

long periods of alerted states, and avoiding possible situations that may influence the memory of

the event. Animal assisted therapy is a new type of treatment for veterans dealing with the

psychological issues of PTSD. In this study, we plan to look at animal-assisted therapy for

veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. We will attempt to observe the effects of

traditional therapy, such as medications or group therapy, and then observe the effects of animal-

assisted therapy. This will be a comparative study with different types of therapy for the service

men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder. We believe that if the success rate is high in

coping with the symptoms of PTSD, we must suggest the treatment of PTSD be individually

examined and studied more on a psychological level. We will be using this data and information

collected to further the understanding for treatment of recent veterans that are diagnosed or

dealing with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.


Defining Animal Therapy and PTSD with the Success Rate for Veterans

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is defined as a form of therapy that involves using the

animal as a fundamental part of a person’s treatment. (Uyemura, 2012) There is a human-animal

bond that is instilled with any patient who experiences this type of therapy. The American

Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on the human-animal bond defines the human-

animal bond as, “a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other

animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both.

This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of other

people, other animals, and the environment.” (Uyemura, 2012) Pet interaction, whether active or

passive, tends to lower anxiety levels in subjects, and thus decrease the onset, severity, or

progression of stress-related conditions. Pet ownership and other animal contact, such as petting

animals and watching fish in an aquarium, have specifically been demonstrated to provide

cardiovascular benefits. (Strecker, 2011) Oxytocin levels are one of the scientific correlations to

the much anecdotal research developed for patients being treated with animal therapy. Oxytocin

is a very powerful, social hormone that lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Uyemura says

animal-assisted therapy is here to stay simply because the oxytocin effect is undeniable.

Assisted-animal therapy is not limited to dogs. There are many doctors that prescribe horses,

cats, rabbits, and even birds as the form of medication for psychological disorders. Animal-

assisted therapy began in the early 1990’s, and thus is a relatively new field. (Uyemura, 2012)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans is described in the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual, fourth edition (DSM-IV) as the development of characteristic symptoms after

exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving direct personal experience of an event that


involves death or serious injury, or other threat to one’s physical integrity. Experts in the study

of PTSD configured 30% of Vietnam veterans, 10% of Gulf War veterans, and 11-20% of Iraq

and Afghanistan veterans have some level of post-traumatic stress disorder. Women are more

prevalent to be diagnosed with this disorder than men. Each case is individual and has profound

effects on their daily lives. According to Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Psychiatry, some

symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, avoiding situations that could possibly remind them of

the event, and feeling alerted longer than average. These symptoms can last four weeks or

longer. Post-traumatic stress disorder leads to higher, prolonged levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a

primary stress hormone that heightens our senses when the body is faced with a threat or a

traumatic event. Veterans who go untreated have a high risk of committing suicide. Treatments

for PTSD following Dr. B. Kolk include medication, group therapy, individual psychotherapy,

behavioral or cognitive therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.

Antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and adrenergic are prescribed as forms of medicine.

A relatively new type of action for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder is

animal-assisted therapy. It is used as an out-patient treatment. E. Johnson, a therapist, defines

this as a level of care with the least amount of restriction. This therapy can be structured or not.

The US Army is calling canine therapy an innovative approach to help soldiers to recover from

PTSD. Each dog is specially trained to meet the needs of each patient. The dogs, provided by

and funded through the Hospital of Veteran Affairs (VA), are trained to help jolt a veteran from a

flashback, dial 9-1-1, and even sense a panic attack before it starts. The reactions the dog

exhibits to help prevent the onset of panic attacks and flashbacks include licking, nudging with

their nose, or simple persistence to being petted. (Nauert, 2010)


There are some solid reasons for dogs as therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress

disorder. Psychology Today tells of some reasons to support animal therapy. Dogs are vigilant

and protective. A soldier is never alone on the battlefield and the dog serves as their battle

buddy, always by their side. Dogs are very responsive to authority. Many military personnel

return from their deployments and have difficulty functioning in their relationships. They are

used to giving and getting orders and dogs respond very well to rules and boundaries.

Sometimes veterans realize that the skills they learned and used in the service weren't

transferable or respected in the civilian sector. This can be devastating when they were well-

respected for their position in the military. Dogs do not judge or noticed differences between a

soldier or a civilian. Dogs help veterans to relearn trust. It can be very difficult to feel safe in

the world after certain experiences, and being able to trust the immediate environment can take

some time. Dogs help healing by being trustworthy. Pets for Patriots, Pets for Vets, and Vets

Adopt Pets are just a few organizations that support and help promote animal therapy for PTSD.

They adopt out dogs for veterans who are in need of help with disorder. Shelter dogs can be

used as therapy dogs as well as pure bred dogs. After the collection of literary data, we propose

that there is a possible positive outcome with animal therapy for veterans suffering from post-

traumatic stress disorder. The literature discussed gives a clear suggestion of gathering data to

imply animal-assisted therapy could be successful in the aid of PTSD among recent veterans in

the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.


Rationale

We hypothesize that animal therapy has successful results with recent veterans suffering

from post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, we intend to provide evidence that an assisted

animal role is a key aspect in the treatment of PTSD.


Operational Definitions

Demographic Variables

1. Age: Age is defined as the number of chronological years since birth.

2. Sex: Sex is defined as either male or female.

3. Classification: Classification is defined as then treatment the veterans are receiving compared to

non-animal treatment or animal treatment.

Main Variables

1. Post-traumatic stress disorder: PTSD is defined as the disorder that is diagnosed to veterans after

a severely traumatic experience.

2. Animal-assisted therapy: AAT is defined as the aid of animals in the treatment of PTSD.

3. Longitudinal study: Longitudinal study is defined as a study conducted over a long period of

time with the same population, which is periodically assessed regarding a particular behavior.

4. Out-patient therapy: Out-patient therapy is defined as a type of treatment with the least amount

of restriction.


Methods

Participants.

Adult veterans that have been diagnosed with PTSD from a local VA Hospital will be

used for this study. This population will be adult ages twenty-five to thirty-five. This being a

new kind of treatment, recent veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will be suitable.

Three females and three males will be adequate amount of mixed genders for this study. Race or

ethnicity is not necessary to consider in this study. A consent form will be supplied for the

participants, which will be located in appendix A. There will be no compensation supplied for

this study. These participants will be drawn from a population of outpatient clients.

Instrument(s).

This project will be asking the veterans a series of questions that will be before their

treatment and after their treatment with the animals. This will be a self reporting questionnaire.

Animal Therapy Manage PTSD in Veterans (ATMPV) is the name of this questionnaire. It will

be typed, structured two-step questionnaire. This will have five close ended questions before

AAT and five close ended questions after AAT. These clients will be asked to complete the

consent form located in Appendix A. The director of the local VA Hospital will be solicited for

the permission to recruit the individuals for this passive study. Animal Therapy Manage PTSD

in Veterans (ATMPV) will reflect and help validate my research hypothesis. A debriefing form

will be provided and located in Appendix D of the research prospectus.

Procedures.

After the approval from the local VA Hospital, this study will allow us to discuss with the

veterans that have been selected for animal therapy. This project will introduce myself with my

name and state that I have a few questions to further the understanding of animal therapy among


veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. This study should inform the possible participants

this is an assignment for my Research Methods class this semester to aid in achieving my degree.

This will be a longitudinal study. Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is goal-directed intervention in

which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. This

project will be conducting a series of questions that will be relevant before AAT and after the

AAT. Though other animals are used for therapy, a canine is the most common mammal used

for therapy in PTSD. The dogs are selected to highly specialize in needs of each participant.

The animals are typically trained by a non-profit organization. They are trained to respond

appropriately to the individual in many different situations. This project will give them the paper

questionnaire before they begin the canine therapy. Then after an allotted time, judged by the

individual and VA director, this study will require the participants to return and complete a

similar questionnaire as to the results of animal therapy on their PTSD. The cooperation,

experiment, and questionnaire completed by the subjects will possibly solidify that animal

therapy has a positive effect on PTSD. This collection of data will be necessary to show the

effects of animal therapy for veterans diagnosed with PTSD.


Sex

3 Male Veterans

3 Female Veterans

AgeMales

between 25-35

Females between

25-35

Variable Chart: Sex, Age, and Classification

Animal Therapy for PTSD 17List of Appendices

A. APPENDIX A: Consent Form and Ethics Certification 18

B: APPENDIX B: Questionnaire of Animal Therapy Manage PTSD in Veterans 26

C. APPENDIX C: Key Code 28

D. APPENDIX D: Debriefing Form 30

E. APPENDIX E: Statistical Analysis 31 [Copy of SPSS variable view.]


APPENDIX A: Consent Form

Informed Consent Form

University of Arkansas Fort SmithDepartment of Psychology

Title of the Research Project:


_____________________________________________________________________

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder study is to further the research and better understand the effects of animal-assisted therapy on veterans that are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Please read this form and feel free to ask questions you may have before agreeing to participate in this research.

PROCEDURES

If you agree to participate in this study, after you have asked any questions concerning the study and signed this consent form, you will be asked to complete two surveys: one survey asks you to describe your current treatment and symptoms you are dealing with at the moment . In a second survey you will be asked about your animal treatment and the symptoms you are experiencing after the animal-assisted therapy. Completion of these surveys will take approximately 10 minutes.

You will be asked to allot 10 minutes of your time to complete the surveys for this study. Your participation will take place in your present location and will begin immediately after you have completed this consent form.

The completion of the surveys is expected to take approximately 10 minutes, but you may have extra time if you wish. This survey contains close ended questions about your symptoms and medical treatment that you have been given by the doctor. You will also be asked a second set of closed ended questions that will constitute the symptoms you are dealing with and the reaction to the animal-assisted therapy.

CONFIDENTIALITY/SAFEGUARDS


Every effort will be taken to protect the identity of the participants in this study. The information that you provide will be identified by code number only. It will not be associated with your name or any other personally identifying information either in filing or in any reports or presentations of this study or its results. The only individuals who will have access to the information that you provide to the study are the research staff and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith. The IRB has been created to protect the rights of the individuals who are participating in research studies. No information about you or provided by you during this research will be disclosed to others without your written permission.Your identity will not be revealed in any report or publication of this study or its results. Any information obtained for this study that can be identified with you will remain confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. Your name will not appear anywhere on the surveys that you complete. Any documents that have your name and/or other identifiable information (e.g., this consent form) will be kept in locked file cabinets to which only the Principle Investigator will have access.

RISKS

There are no known serious risks related to participation in this study. If you should feel uncomfortable in answering any question in any of the surveys, please be assured that you may omit answering these questions without penalty of any kind.

BENEFITS

There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this study. Your participation is of great importance, however, to the student researcher who is conducting this study (under the direction of the Principle Investigator, Dr. Rita Barrett) as part of the course requirements for all students enrolled in Research Methods in Psychology section 2613, Summer 2012 at University of Arkansas Fort Smith. The results of this study will be made available to you at the end of the present semester (see Contact Information below).

RIGHT TO WITHDRAW

Your participation in this research is strictly voluntary. Your decision to participate or not participate in this study will not affect your current or future relations with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. If you do decide to participate in the study, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you wish to talk to anyone about this research because you think that you have not been treated fairly or think that joining the study has hurt you, or would like to learn more about the study and its results, please feel free to call Dr. Rita L. Barrett at 443-885-3823. Her office is located in the Department of Psychology in the Vines Building, Room 118. You may also contact Dr. J. Jonah Jameson, Coordinator of the IRB. .

YOU WILL BE OFFERED A COPY OF THIS FORM TO KEEP.


PARTICIPANT COPY


Participation Consent Form

You are making the decision whether or not to participate in the How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Your signature indicates that you have read and understood the information provided and have decided to participate in the study.

I am willing to participate in this study, and verify that I am 18 years of age or older.

______________________________________ Participant’s Name (PRINTED)

______________________________________ _________________________Participant’s Name (SIGNATURE) Date

______________________________________ Signature of Witness (Researcher) (PRINTED)

______________________________________ ________________________Signature of Witness (Researcher) (SIGNATURE) Date


OFFICE COPY



You are making the decision whether or not to participate in the How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Your signature indicates that you have read and understood the information provided and have decided to participate in the study.

I am willing to participate in this study, and verify that I am 18 years of age or older.

______________________________________ Participant’s Name (PRINTED)

______________________________________ _________________________Participant’s Name (SIGNATURE) Date

______________________________________ Signature of Witness (Researcher) (PRINTED)

______________________________________ ________________________Signature of Witness (Researcher) (SIGNATURE) Date


UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS – FORT SMITHResearch Participant Information and Consent Form

Title of the Study: How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Principal Investigator: Rita L. Barrett, PhD (phone: 479.788.7532) (email: [email protected])

Student Researcher: Whitney L. Palsa (phone: 479.252.1427)

DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH

You are invited to participate in a research study about the effects of animal therapy with veterans who have been dealing with the symptoms and issues of PTSD. You have been asked to participate because you have firsthand experience with service as a recent veteran and coping with PTSD. The purpose of How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is to better understand the effects of animal treatment on the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. This study will include 6 veterans, 3 being female and 3 being male. All participants have been diagnosed with PTSD or the symptoms of this disorder. This study will be conducted in your present location.

WHAT WILL MY PARTICIPATION INVOLVE?

If you decide to participate in this research you will be asked if you agree to partake in this study, After you have asked any questions concerning the study and signed this consent form, you will be asked to complete two surveys: This survey contain close ended questions about your symptoms and medical treatment that you have been given by the doctor. This second survey is set of closed ended questions that will constitute the symptoms you are dealing with and the reaction to the animal-assisted therapy. You will be asked to complete 2 surveys or interviews. Your participation will last approximately 5 min per session and will require 2 sessions which will require 10 min in total approximation time.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS TO ME?

There are no known serious risks related to participation in this study. If you should feel uncomfortable in answering any question in any of the surveys, please be assured that you may omit answering these questions without penalty of any kind.

ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO ME?

There are no direct benefits to you for participating in this study. Your participation is of great importance, however, to the student researcher who is conducting this study (under the direction of the Principle Investigator, Dr. Rita Barrett) as part of the course requirements for all students enrolled in Research Methods in Psychology section 2613, Summer 2012 at the University of


Arkansas- Fort Smith. The results of this study will be made available to you at the end of the present semester (see Contact Information below).

HOW WILL MY CONFIDENTIALITY BE PROTECTED?

Every effort will be taken to protect the identity of the participants in this study. The information that you provide will be identified by code number only. It will not be associated with your name or any other personally identifying information either in filing or in any reports or presentations of this study or its results. The only individuals who will have access to the information that you provide to the study are the research staff and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at University of Arkansas Fort Smith. The IRB has been created to protect the rights of the individuals who are participating in research studies. No information about you or provided by you during this research will be disclosed to others without your written permission. Your identity will not be revealed in any report or publication of this study or its results. Any information obtained for this study that can be identified with you will remain confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. Your name will not appear anywhere on the surveys that you complete. Any documents that have your name and/or other identifiable information (e.g., this consent form) will be kept in locked file cabinets to which only the Principle Investigator will have access.

WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

You may ask any questions about the research at any time. If you have questions about the research after you leave today you should contact the Principal Investigator Rita L. Barrett, PhD at 479.788.7532. You may also call the student researcher, Whitney L. Palsa at 479.252.1427. If you are not satisfied with response of research team, have more questions, or want to talk with someone about your rights as a research participant, you should contact the Dr. Sydney Fulbright, coordinator of the UA Fort Smith IRB at 479.788.7552 Your participation is completely voluntary. If you decide not to participate or to withdraw from the study it will have no effect on your grade in this class.


PARTICIPANT COPYHOW ANIMAL THERAPY HELPS VETERANS WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER


You are making the decision whether or not to participate in the How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Your signature indicates that you have read and understood the information provided and have decided to participate in the study. I am willing to participate in this study, and verify that I am 18 years of age or older.______________________________________ Participant’s Name (PRINTED) ______________________________________ _________________________Participant’s Name (SIGNATURE) Date______________________________________ Signature of Witness (Researcher) (PRINTED) ______________________________________ ________________________Signature of Witness (Researcher) (SIGNATURE) Date


OFFICE COPYHOW ANIMAL THERAPY HELPS VETERANS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER


You are making the decision whether or not to participate in the How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Your signature indicates that you have read and understood the information provided and have decided to participate in the study. I am willing to participate in this study, and verify that I am 18 years of age or older.

______________________________________ Participant’s Name (PRINTED) ______________________________________ _________________________Participant’s Name (SIGNATURE) Date______________________________________ Signature of Witness (Researcher) (PRINTED) ______________________________________ ________________________Signature of Witness (Researcher) (SIGNATURE) Date


APPENDIX B: Animal Therapy Manage PTSD in Veterans (ATMPV)

Before Animal-Assisted Therapy

1. Which is your hardest symptom to cope with on a daily basis?

_________________________________________________________________

2. How many medications do you currently take?

_________________________________________________________________

3. Do you have a need for order and authority?

_________________________________________________________________

4. Do you have trust issues among family and friends?

_________________________________________________________________

5. Do you find you are alerted more or find it difficult to sleep?

_________________________________________________________________


APPENDIX B: Continued (ATMPV)

After Animal-Assisted Therapy

1. Has you hardest symptom to cope with become more or less manageable?

_________________________________________________________________

2. Has your medication increased or decreased during AAT?

_________________________________________________________________

3. Do you feel the need for order and authority has been met after AAT?

_________________________________________________________________

4. Have you gained more or less trust among friends and family?

_________________________________________________________________

5. Have you been more or less alerted or find it easier or harder to sleep?

_________________________________________________________________


APPENDIX C: Key Code

Part One- Before animal treatment information is represented with its number value in SPSS such as: 1. Gender

1 Male 2 Female

2. Which is your hardest symptom to cope with on a daily basis?

1 One symptom 2 Multiple symptoms 3 No Symptoms

3. How many medications do you currently take?

1 One 2 Two 3 Three or more

4. Do you have a need for order and authority?

1Yes 2 No

5. Do you have trust issues among family and friends?

1 Yes 2 No

6. Do you find you are alerted more or find it difficult to sleep?

1 Alerted more 2 Difficulty sleeping 3 Both


APPENDIX C: Key Code (Continued)

Part Two- After animal treatment information is represented with its number value in SPSS such as:

1. Has you hardest symptom to cope with become more or less manageable?

1 Harder 2 Easier

2. Has your medication increased or decreased during AAT?

1 Increased 2 Decreased

3. Do you feel the need for order and authority has been met after AAT?

1 Yes 2 No

4. Have you gained more or less trust among friends and family?

1 More 2 Less

5. Have you been more or less alerted or find it easier or harder to sleep?

1 More alerted 2 Less alerted 3Harder to sleep 4 Easier to sleep


APPENDIX D: Debriefing Form

Debriefing Form

Thank you for participating in this study. Please read all of the following information.

The purpose of How Animal Therapy Helps Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder study

is to further the research and better understand the effects of animal-assisted therapy on veterans that are

diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Please remember that your individual responses will remain anonymous and that the data will be

examined on a grouped basis only. Your informed consent form, which contains your name, will be kept

separate from the answers that you gave on the questionnaires. The student investigator to whom you

have given your responses will deliver all consent forms to the Principal Investigator for this study (Dr.

Rita L. Barrett, Department of Behavioral Sciences) who will keep all consent forms in a locked file to

which only he will have access.

If you have any questions about this study, if you should experience any negative feelings as a result of

participating in this study, or if you are interested in knowing the results of this study, please contact Dr.

Rita L. Barrett, Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Arkansas Fort Smith (phone:

479.788.7532 or 7570). If you should have any concerns that Dr. Barrett is not able to address, you may

also contact the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Counseling Center located in the Pendergraft Bldg.,

Room 101 (phone: 443-885-3130)

Again, your cooperation and participation are greatly appreciated.


APPENDIX E: Statistical Analysis (SPSS Variable View)


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