AI Insight
Research by neurobiologist Charlotte Witjes-Roelofs at Radboud University demonstrates that dogs, including both assistance and companion dogs, provide therapeutic benefits to police officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by work-related traumatic incidents. The study found that officers with dogs nearby reported feeling safer and showed improved performance on memory tasks and concentration. This research addresses PTSD among the thousands of police officers affected by occupational trauma.
Why it matters
This finding suggests a practical, non-pharmaceutical intervention for managing PTSD symptoms in police officers and potentially other first responders. The research could inform police department policies regarding assistance animal programs and support services for officers experiencing occupational trauma.
Understand the Science
Thousands of police officers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of traumatic incidents in the course of their work. Dogs (both assistance dogs and companion dogs) can offer relief to police officers with PTSD. That is the finding of doctoral research by neurobiologist Charlotte Witjes-Roelofs, who will defend her thesis at Radboud University on Oct. 1, 2026. “Police officers feel safer with their dog nearby; they are better able to perform memory tasks and concentrate more effectively.” The study is published in the journal Anthrozoös.