Just like owning a household pet, integrating a service dog into the home is a lot of work. Both spouses and veterans stated that the dogs make messes, shed everywhere, require lots of attention, and are expensive to care for. Spouses were especially frustrated that the responsibility fell on their shoulders when their veteran spouse was unavailable. Though both veterans and spouses cited this as a complaint, it was more frequent and a larger issue to the spouses. Most of the veterans who cited this as an issue stated that their dogs were worth it.

PTSD Service Dogs Impact on Veterans' Families: Service Dog as Big Time Commitment 

Another possible negative impact of the service dog on the family was that training was inconsistent, the family members did not always know the correct commands, and family members didn't know how to properly interact with the dog. This was especially true when it came to children as they did not understand that the service dog was not a typical household pet. 

PTSD Service Dogs Impact on Veterans' Families: May Not Respond To Training As Desired 

It is possible that rather than helping to strengthen relationships as intended, the service dog may cause further strains in the relationship between the veteran and their spouse and/or children. They may feel as if the service dog is consuming all of the veteran's attention, with little left for them. For instance, the dog may interfere when the veteran is trying to play with their kids or may try to get attention when the veteran hugs their spouse. 

PTSD Service Dogs Impact on Veterans' Families: Negative Impact Veteran Relationship with Spouse and Children 

Instead of providing comfort in public, it is possible that a service dog may cause more stress. Some veterans and spouses reported that when  being in the  presence of the  service dog in public attracts a lot of unwanted attention and stigma. People are more likely to stare at the family, whisper about them, interact inappropriately with the service dog, or come up to the veteran and engage them in conversation about the do, which makes the owner feel uncomfortable. Some veterans have stated that being in public with their dog is more stressful than being there by themselves and they avoid public places more frequently. 

PTSD Service Dog Impact on Veterans' Families: Family Experiences with Stigma in Public

- Big commitment 
- May not respond to training as desired 
- May negatively impact veteran's relationship to spouse and children 
- Family experiences stigma in public 

Xavier University

Veterans' struggle with PTSD can also be difficult on the veterans' families, such as significant others/spouses and children. Relationships can become strained and spouses may experience a significant amount of stress caring for their significant other with PTSD. Just as they help veterans with PTSD, PTSD service dogs help families of veterans develop resilience, benefit them emotionally, help rebuild/maintain relationships, and help them adjust to a new normal. 

PTSD Service Dogs Impact on Veterans' Families 

Nieforth, L.O., Craig, E.A., Behmer, V.A., Wadsworth, S.M, & O'Haire, M.E. (2021). Ptsd service dogs foster resilience among veterans and military families. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01990-3.

Ptsd service dogs foster resilience among veterans and military families 

PTSD Service Dogs Impact on Veterans' Families: Possible Negative Impacts of PTSD Service Dogs on the Family 

In most cases, veterans and spouses stated that the tremendous benefits of having a service dog outweighed the negative. Such benefits included:
- Companion for children and strengthens veteran's relationship with children.
- Help to alleviate some of the stress the spouse may feel.
- Create a stronger sense of togetherness and unity within family, which dog is considered to be a part of.

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