Animal-assisted interventions for military families: a systematic review

• Main Authors: Leanne O. Nieforth (Author), Sarah C. Leighton (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2296-2565; 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1372189
• Keywords: family-focused interventions; assistance animals; equine-assisted; service dogs; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); resilience; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Frontiers in Public Health, Vol 12 (2024)

IntroductionThe incorporation of animals into interventions focused on military families is a relatively new concept. Though animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have been studied in the context of military veterans, few studies incorporate members of the military family or focus on the family members' experiences.MethodsThis systematic review investigates the effects of AAIs on the wellbeing of military family members beyond the veteran themselves through three aims: (1) by describing the characteristics of AAIs for military family members, (2) by evaluating the quality of the methodology present within the current literature, and (3) by identifying key concepts and knowledge gaps within the findings reported to date.ResultsA total of nine articles met the criteria to be included in the review. Though the inclusion criteria and search terms included all types of animal-assisted interventions, the only interventions represented were service dogs (n = 4) and equine-assisted services (n = 5).DiscussionFindings suggest AAIs could be beneficial in areas such as communication, relational bonds, and psychosocial well-being. Though additional research is necessary, AAIs may be an effective complementary intervention for military families.