The Science Behind The Comfort Dog Project

How Dog Training Relieves Trauma

by Meg Daley Olmert

Comparison of the recently decoded genomes of humans and dogs shows that we are most alike in the genes that control our emotion and behavior—especially the gene called oxytocin. The similarity in patterns and functioning of our oxytocin genes helps to explain how and why we can form such profound social connections with dogs. We have the right “genetic stuff” to be best friends.  

Oxytocin is an ancient mammalian brain chemical that is essential to our capacity to provide parental care and to form all kinds of social bonds. It is released in our bodies and brains when we experience pleasant social stimuli, such as smiles, high-pitch tones, gentle touch, hugs, and kisses. These are the nurturing behaviors that flow between parents and children, friends and lovers. Recent research has shown that when guardians and dogs engage in the same kinds of loving gestures, they also trigger a mutual release of oxytocin which deepens their sense of bonding.  These are the positive communication skills we use to train our Comfort Dogs--which helps to explain why our teams develop such strong familial bonds in just a few weeks.

When dogs and people mutually engage each other’s oxytocin systems we not only feel a deeper connection, we feel happier and calmer because oxytocin is not only a “bonding” gene, it is powerful anti-stress agent.  When triggered by positive social stimuli, oxytocin can shut down the defensive/anti-social brain chemistry that becomes dominant in PTSD.  Several scientific studies have shown that American war veterans with PTSD who are partnered with a service dog experience significant reduction in their trauma symptoms.  A recent study that looked at how training a service dog affected veteran trainers with PTSD, found that positive (highly social) dog training methods resulted in a significant rise in oxytocin along with a reduction in stress chemistry and PTSD symptom severity.  

The CDP also includes trauma counselling based on cognitive behavioral theory from our program psychologist and social worker. We encourage our guardians to bring their dogs and pet them during these weekly sessions. They report that the presence and touch of their dog helps to calm them when recounting traumatic memories and emotions.

Over 100 guardians have now completed our 20-week Comfort Dog training and bonding program. Measures of the guardians’ PSTD symptom severity before and after graduation show significant reductions and a significant improvement in their general wellbeing. Another sign that oxytocin is being triggered by our CDP methodology can be found in the guardians’ unanimous testimonials that their comfort dogs are now beloved family members. 

To learn more about the data collected during the first five years of The Comfort Dog Project, read Meg Daley Olmert’s article in the peer-reviewed Intervention Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Confict Affected Areas, “The Comfort Dog Project of Northern Uganda: An Innovative Canine-Assisted Psychosocial Trauma Recovery Programme”. Intervention 19(1):p 21-25, Jan–Jun 2021. | DOI: 10.4103/INTV.INTV_16_20