Science | PTSD Dogs Get Combat Stress, Too About 5% may have canine PTSD: New York Times By John Johnson Posted Dec 1, 2011 6:00 PM CST Copied Ringo, a black Lab, runs at the command of his handler at U.S. Marine Combat Outpost Geronimo in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, in this 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) Post-traumatic stress disorder doesn't affect only humans: About 5% of the military's 650 combat dogs have canine PTSD, reports the New York Times. The diagnosis itself is only about 18 months old and a bit controversial, but military veterinarians are seeing more and more dogs who can no longer perform duties such as sniffing out IEDS after a harrowing experience. “If you want to put doggy thoughts into their heads,” says one expert, “the dog is thinking: when I see this kind of individual, things go boom, and I’m distressed.” Some can be coaxed back into training, but many have to return to the civilian world. For good reason: If the dogs are too afraid to do their jobs, it exposes their human pals to risk. Read These Next Mid That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Cops: Arizona 5th graders drew up plot to 'end' a classmate. The Bezos-Sanchez wedding: guest list, cost, the dress, and more. Report an error