Working with Service Dogs May Help Slow Biological Aging in Female Veterans, Study Finds
A new study from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and its collaborators has found something remarkable: working with service dogs could help slow down biological aging in female veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings, published in the journal Behavioral Sciences (2025), suggest that this unique animal-assisted activity doesn’t just bring emotional comfort—it may also improve the body’s cellular health.
This research is among the first studies to focus specifically on female veterans, a group that has historically been underrepresented in military health research. The study reveals that emotional stress and biological stress don’t always move in sync—meaning how someone feels may not fully reflect what’s happening inside their cells.
Why Focus on Female Veterans?
Women have served in the U.S. military for generations, but since 1948, their numbers and roles have expanded significantly. Despite this, most PTSD research still centers around men, even though women report higher rates of PTSD after military service.
Female veterans also face unique reintegration challenges when returning to civilian life. Traditional PTSD treatments, such as medication and talk therapy, don’t always meet their needs or fully address the emotional isolation many experience. This study aimed to explore whether nontraditional, hands-on approaches—like training service dogs—could make a difference both psychologically and biologically.
What the Study Was About
Researchers from FAU partnered with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, the Medical College of Georgia, and Warrior Canine Connection, Inc., a nonprofit that connects veterans through dog training. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.
Unlike typical service dog programs where veterans receive trained dogs for assistance, this study took a different approach. The participants—female veterans with diagnosed PTSD—trained dogs for other veterans in need. In other words, they helped others while helping themselves.
This dual-purpose setup created what researchers called a mission-driven activity—one that provides purpose, structure, and a sense of contribution, all while fostering interaction with animals.
Who Took Part and What They Did
Participants were female veterans aged between 32 and 72, all diagnosed with PTSD. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- Service Dog Training Group: Participants trained service dogs for fellow veterans.
- Control Group: Participants watched dog-training videos instead of working with the dogs directly.
Each group met for one hour per week for eight weeks. The study was carefully structured so researchers could measure both psychological and biological changes before, during, and after the program.
How Stress Was Measured
To capture both emotional and biological changes, the team used multiple types of data:
- Telomere Length: A biological marker of cellular aging measured through saliva samples. Telomeres are protective DNA caps at the ends of chromosomes, and their length is closely linked to stress, health, and aging. Shorter telomeres are associated with accelerated cellular aging and higher disease risk.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A physiological measure of how well the nervous system regulates stress, tracked through wearable devices. Higher HRV generally indicates better stress resilience.
- Psychological Surveys: Participants also completed questionnaires assessing PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety levels at several points during the study.
What the Study Found
The results were surprisingly positive—especially on the biological side.
- Telomere Length: The women who actively trained service dogs showed an increase in telomere length, suggesting a slowing of cellular aging. In contrast, those in the control group saw their telomere length decrease, pointing toward accelerated aging.
- Combat Exposure Effect: The biological benefits were strongest among veterans with combat experience. Those with combat exposure who trained dogs had the greatest telomere gains, while those in the control group with combat exposure experienced the largest declines.
- Heart Rate Variability: Participants in the dog training group also displayed improvements in HRV, showing better physiological stress balance.
- Psychological Improvements: Interestingly, both groups—training and control—showed similar reductions in PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and anxiety levels over the eight weeks. This suggests that structured attention and participation in any organized program may help reduce psychological stress.
In short, while both groups felt emotionally better, only the dog trainers showed biological signs of healing and resilience at the cellular level.
What It Means
These findings point to a crucial idea: purposeful, animal-related volunteer work may provide mental and physical health benefits, even without direct ownership of a service dog. For many veterans, especially women, caring for a full-time service dog isn’t practical. But training one for others can deliver emotional stability, social connection, and a renewed sense of purpose—key ingredients for recovery.
Researchers note that learning dog-handling skills, like positive reinforcement and reading animal behavior, may also strengthen participants’ bonds with their own pets, creating an ongoing cycle of emotional support.
Why Dogs Make a Difference
Humans have evolved alongside dogs for tens of thousands of years. Dogs read human emotions incredibly well, often responding with calming behavior that helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. Studies show that petting a dog for even a few minutes can release oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”—and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Working closely with dogs in structured training adds another layer of benefit. It combines mindful focus, social engagement, and physical interaction, all of which can counteract stress-related physiological damage.
That’s why animal-assisted interventions are increasingly being explored as complements to traditional therapies for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
A Step Toward Personalized Healing
The FAU study opens the door for personalized, non-pharmacological approaches to treating stress and trauma in female veterans. Instead of relying solely on medication or talk therapy, programs that nurture both the mind and body could offer a more holistic path to recovery.
The fact that measurable biological improvements—like increased telomere length—appeared after just eight weeks is encouraging. It suggests that short-term, purpose-driven experiences can trigger meaningful physiological changes, particularly in populations facing chronic stress.
Limitations and What Comes Next
Of course, no single study can answer every question. The researchers acknowledge a few limitations:
- The sample size was relatively small, which limits how broadly the results can be applied.
- The eight-week duration is short; future studies should test whether the benefits persist over longer periods.
- Because participants knew which group they were in, placebo effects can’t be ruled out.
- Measuring telomere length has technical variability, so replication is important.
Even so, the study offers compelling early evidence that dog training as a volunteer activity can have real biological effects on health.
Broader Research on Service Dogs and PTSD
This isn’t the first time scientists have explored the connection between service dogs and veterans’ well-being. Previous research has shown that veterans paired with trained service dogs often report better sleep, less anxiety, and improved emotional regulation.
However, this FAU study stands out because participants weren’t dog owners—they were trainers, helping others. That distinction highlights how purposeful social roles and helping behaviors can amplify therapeutic effects.
As more veterans’ programs incorporate animal-assisted therapy, the focus is shifting from “dogs as helpers” to “dogs as partners in recovery.”
Why This Matters Beyond the Military
While this study focused on female veterans, its implications stretch far beyond the military. Many people face chronic stress that quietly wears down the body over time. The idea that positive, meaningful engagement with animals could literally slow biological aging has major public health implications.
Programs that encourage volunteering with animals—whether training service dogs, fostering pets, or supporting shelters—might offer low-cost ways to promote mental and physical health for a much wider audience.
Final Thoughts
This study is a fresh reminder that healing doesn’t always come from a pill or a therapy session. Sometimes, it comes from connection, purpose, and a wagging tail. For female veterans—and possibly anyone carrying the invisible weight of trauma—spending time with service dogs might do more than lift the spirit. It could help the body itself grow stronger and younger from the inside out.
