PTSD Definition:
The DSM-5 defines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (in humans) as the following:
Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include a history of exposure to a traumatic event that meets specific stipulations and symptoms from each of four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. The sixth criterion concerns duration of symptoms; the seventh assesses functioning; and, the eighth criterion clarifies symptoms as not attributable to a substance or co-occurring medical condition.
What is Canine PTSD?
Canine PTSD, simply put, is PTSD in dogs. It occurs after a traumatic or stressful event and is most often seen in military canines. While dogs do share many symptoms with PTSD seen in humans, it does have its own differences in symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. This website will be focusing on the causes, symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of Canine PTSD.
It is relatively new and not fully accepted yet.
PTSD was only validated in the 1980s, making Canine PTSD even more recent. In an article run by the New York Times in 2011 (After Duty, Dogs Suffer Like Human Soldiers), it reveals Canine PTSD has beena subject of interest for "18 months", making it about six years old. Around this time, dogs were sent home with a disorder resembling PTSD. Reseach and studies into Canine PTSD began approximately about a year after the article ran. Dr. Peter Scheifele, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati and Executive Director of UC's FETCHLAB, states that research into Canine PTSD began around 2013.
