[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27066-27067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11085]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-12-12JF]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-7570 
and send comments to Kimberly Lane, at CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, 
Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an email to [email protected].
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Returning our Veterans to Employment and Reintegration (ROVER)-New-
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    NIOSH, under Public Law 91-596, Sections 20 and 22 (Section 20-22, 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) has the responsibility to 
conduct research relating to innovative methods, techniques, and 
approaches dealing with occupational safety and health problems.
    Reintegrating Post-9/11 Veterans into civilian life and employment 
is complicated by recent exposure to war zone stressors (e.g., combat, 
bombs, improvised explosive devices, injury and death of military 
personnel and civilians) and development of clinical disorders, such as 
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. PTSD, for example, 
is typified by such symptoms as re-experiencing war zone stressors 
(e.g., distracting intrusive thoughts and images, disturbing 
nightmares); hyper-arousal (e.g., intense startle response, poor 
concentration and memory, constantly being on-guard, disturbed sleep, 
high irritability); and avoidance of people (family, friends, co-
workers), places (such as enclosed areas, crowds), and things (e.g., 
loud noises, certain sights and smells) that remind one of war zone 
stressors. Such symptoms can have a significant impact on the ability 
of a Veteran to work in a setting with features such as other people, 
enclosed work areas, constant movement and noise, tasks that require 
concentration to details or safety issues, and stress related to 
requests and feedback of supervisors or task speed and accuracy. An 
approach for helping Veterans with PTSD and other psychiatric 
impairments is that of using service dogs for assistance and support.
    Although there is significant interest in service dogs for Veterans 
to aid in readjustment, the focus has not been on employment. Although 
a service-dog program ``feels good'' and has face validity, there is a 
resounding lack of empirical evidence documenting whether the provision 
of service dogs is of therapeutic benefit for persons with PTSD--other 
than the generally accepted positive effects of human-animal 
companionship. For example, a descriptive review of the pet-facilitated 
therapy (PFT) literature by Brodie and Biley (1999) presages a more 
substantive review by Nimer and Lundahl (2007) in finding multiple 
studies with poor research designs and other methodological problems 
that made it hard for those authors to draw firm conclusions. Even 
where studies focused on ``psychological'' outcomes, these tended to be 
self-report measures of such constructs as stress, relaxation, 
loneliness, and morale. Some impact on the behavior of children was 
noted; standard measures of clinical disorders (e.g., depression, 
anxiety) were not noted.
    Nimar and Lundahl (2007) conducted a meta-analysis of the animal-
assisted therapy (AAT) literature; that is, studies examining the 
incorporation of animals in treatment plans. Over 250 studies were 
located, but only 49 (20%) met the criteria of sufficient statistical 
information to estimate effect sizes. Most of the studies utilized dogs 
with children with behavior problems or developmental disorders, or 
adults with chronic mental disorders, such as dementia or 
schizophrenia. None of the studies specifically included Veterans, and 
none focused on the work setting (although several looked at animals as 
an adjunct to occupational therapy). The overall effect size for the 
impact of AAT was considered to be ``moderate,'' with no differential 
effects related to the population receiving AAT--a positive point when 
considering extending this work to Veterans. Most of the outcomes were 
focused on emotional well-being, but there were positive findings for 
an impact on behavioral problems (mostly with children). In general, 
the literature is problematic for the lack of

[[Page 27067]]

consistency in operationally defining AAT and its implementation, and 
the poor to absent research methodology.
    The present research study will focus on the following questions.
    1. Among assistance dog providers sampled in the U.S., how many 
provide services to Veterans?
    2. Among assistance dog providers that provide services to 
Veterans, what are the specific strategies used or services offered to 
address issues related to Veterans and, specifically, return to work?
    3. From the perspective of assistance dog providers, have the 
services or the requests for services to assist Veterans return to work 
increased, decreased, or remained the same during the past 5 years.
    The purpose of the study is to increase available information about 
services provided to Veterans by assistance dog training organizations. 
Thus, the approach used in this study is descriptive. The survey will 
be primarily administered in a web-based format, but it will also be 
administered by mail or telephone for organizations unable to complete 
the web-based survey.
    The information and the Internet link to the web-based survey will 
be sent by email to approximately 1000 organizations. This number of 
organizations is estimated on the basis of a partially completed Google 
search that already identified hundreds of assistance animal providers. 
On the basis of similar surveys of small businesses or non-profit 
organizations, it is estimated that approximately 300 or 30% of the 
organizations contacted will complete the survey.
    Results of this survey will lead to recommendations and guidance 
for assistance dog providers, healthcare professionals, researchers, 
and policymakers pertaining to animal-assisted interventions to help 
facilitate the reintegration and reemployment of Veterans. This survey 
is part of a larger project that will identify priorities and new 
opportunities for research, as well as address policy implications 
associated with public access rights afforded to service dogs by the 
Americans with Disabilities Act. There are no costs to respondents 
other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                     Number of      Avg. burden
      Type of respondents           Form name        Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent       (in hrs)        (in hrs)
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Representatives of service dog  web-based survey             300               1           30/60             150
 provider agencies.
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................  ................  ..............  ..............  ..............             150
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Kimberly S. Lane,
Deputy Director, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of the 
Associate Director for Science, Office of the Director, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2012-11085 Filed 5-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P