Podcasts · Ask the Vet

39. How Service Dogs are Helping Veterans with PTSD with Dr. Maggie O'Haire

10 Apr 2024 · 52 min

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Maggie O'Haire, a noted researcher in the field of human-animal interactions. Dr. O'Haire's work is paving the way for understanding how service dogs can make a tremendous difference in the lives of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Tune in as they discuss:

• How the Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research and Education was named • Dr. O'Haire's inspiration to study human-animal interactions • The ways Dr. O'Haire persisted in studying a relatively new field with few opportunities • The difference between service dogs, emotional support dogs, and therapy dogs • What is cortisol and how does it relate to post-traumatic stress disorder? • How having a service dog impacted veterans' stress physiology in Dr. O'Haire's study • How Dr. O'Haire hopes her work will improve health care for veterans • The pros and cons of a national certification or registration body for service animals • Dr. O'Haire's next project • In addition to veterans, who can service dogs help?

Also on this month's show:

• Viral trending animal story about Albert, the "gentle giant" 750 pound alligator seized from a home in New York state • Animal news, including new research showing that 25% of Labrador Retrievers carry a genetic mutation that predisposes them to obesity • Pet Health Listener Q&A

Do you have a pet question for Dr. Hohenhaus? Email askthevet@amcny.org to have your question answered on Ask the Vet's Listener Q&A.

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Links in the notes 5

• https://vetmed.arizona.edu/research/human-animal-interaction/ohaire
• https://www.facebook.com/theanimalmedicalcenter
• https://www.instagram.com/amcny/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-animal-medical-center/
• https://twitter.com/amcny