A significant number of police officers experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the traumatic incidents they encounter while on duty. Research by neurobiologist Charlotte Witjes-Roelofs, to be defended at Radboud University on October 1, 2026, finds that both assistance and companion dogs may provide relief to these officers. The findings have been published in the journal Anthrozoös.
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PTSD can manifest in police officers through symptoms like flashbacks, avoidance behavior, negative mood, and difficulties with attention and memory. Many continue to experience these symptoms even after undergoing treatments such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. While the use of assistance dogs has been somewhat established within police forces for officers with severe PTSD symptoms, robust evidence regarding their effectiveness was previously lacking. To address this gap, Witjes-Roelofs conducted a study commissioned by the Police Academy to examine how dogs might affect the well-being and cognitive abilities of officers suffering from PTSD.
The study comprised quantitative and qualitative analysis. In the quantitative portion, EEG brain activity was monitored as participants completed memory tasks. Results indicated that officers with PTSD performed better on these tasks in the presence of their dogs, whereas those without PTSD fared worse. In the qualitative segment, interviews with police officers revealed that their dogs provide significant emotional support, fostering feelings of calm and security.
Witjes-Roelofs noted that even a family dog can offer some relief if a trained assistance dog is not available. Research supports the notion that dogs not only help improve well-being but also prevent individuals from reliving traumatic experiences during stressful moments. Assistance dogs are specifically trained for PTSD support, including waking owners from nightmares or helping them manage anxiety in crowded spaces. They also have unrestricted access in public places.
Given that trained assistance dogs may not always be an option, the research suggests alternative methods. A new training program has been introduced for police officers with PTSD and their companion dogs, aiming to teach them how to provide mutual emotional support. This program has now been included in the police support package for personnel with PTSD.
Witjes-Roelofs hopes that findings from this research will extend to other organizations that employ first responders, suggesting that a similar approach could benefit ambulance personnel as well. Currently, there are 166 assistance dogs in service with police forces, with efforts also ongoing in the Ministry of Defence and fire departments to use assistance dogs as support tools.