Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 13 million individuals in the Uniteed States each year. There are different types of treatment for these individuals, including medications, psychotherapy, and the growing use of psychiatric service dogs (PSDs). PSDs are the fourth most common type of assistance dog. There are strong benefits of PSD use, including but not limited to gaining independence, being able to go out in public, and challenges of learning new commands quickly to public access difficulties. Occupational therapy has a unique opportunity to assist individuals who are choosing to use a PSD for their symptom management of PTSD. Occupational therapy can utilize the Cognitive Behavioral Frame of Reference (CB-FoR) with the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (PEOP) to enhance these clients’ lives. With the PEOP model, occupational therapists can evaluate the client’s history, cognitive abilities, interests, social support, and workplace environment, finding the client’s strengths and weaknesses. By having this knowledge, the occupational therapist can assist the client in tailoring a plan to address the needs and goals of the client. CB-FoR guides the PEOP by being client-centered care that focuses on how thoughts, behaviors, emotions, physiological responses, and environmental factors impact the client. With these aspects of occupational therapy directing client-centered, trauma-informed care, an occupational therapist can be a strong advocate in treating people with PTSD who choose to utilize a PSD. This capstone project allows occupational therapists to understand and consider utilizing the CB-FoR and the PEOP when working with clients with PTSD and service dogs.
