LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles-based sober living program has reported a measurable increase in long-term sobriety outcomes following the implementation of a formal pet therapy initiative. Design To Recover, located in West Los Angeles, introduced a structured emotional support animal (ESA) policy in early 2024 and has since documented a 32% rise in reported continuous sobriety at the 12-month benchmark, based on resident self-reports and program exit follow-ups.
The results, released as part of the organization’s internal outcomes review, reflect one of the first quantitative assessments of pet integration in a structured sober living setting.
Program Design and Execution
The initiative at Design To Recover was developed with input from behavioral health professionals and included strict ESA eligibility protocols. Residents were not required to provide clinical documentation verifying therapeutic need for the animal. Dogs and other small pets were permitted only after a staff review process, behavioral screening, and peer housing approval.
The program emphasized routine and emotional regulation as core benefits. Residents taking part in the ESA program were asked to participate in daily structured check-ins and wellness reporting, in addition to standard 12-step programming and job readiness workshops.
Case Profile and Behavioral Outcomes
One anonymized participant case involved a 29-year-old male resident who was admitted to the program following completion of an outpatient opioid recovery track. Upon entry, he was authorized to live with his certified ESA, a terrier mix, under program supervision. Within two months, staff noted improvements in punctuality, group participation, and medication adherence. The resident remained continuously sober throughout the 12-month observation period.
Staff members at Design To Recover cited increased engagement, reduced anxiety symptoms, and improved interpersonal behavior as commonly observed outcomes among ESA program participants. According to house director Matthew Dennison, “When participants are tasked with animal caregiving, we observe faster re-engagement with routines and peer responsibilities. It externalizes focus in a way that can be stabilizing during the most fragile stages of early recovery.”
Context and Broader Application
While pet therapy is widely recognized in therapeutic and inpatient settings, its integration into sober living homes remains limited. However, mental health literature increasingly supports the role of animal-assisted interventions in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).A 2023 report from the Journal of Substance Use & Recovery outlined that animal-assisted interventions, when added to existing clinical frameworks, were associated with “significantly increased treatment adherence and improved affect regulation among participants in early abstinence.”
The pet friendly sober living program in Los Angeles is among the first in the region to apply these findings to a peer-led, transitional housing context. The 32% improvement in yearlong sobriety—based on program graduation tracking and voluntary urine screening compliance—has led the organization to formalize the policy as a permanent program component.
Future Research and Industry Implications
Design To Recover is currently compiling data for external publication and is in contact with regional recovery networks interested in replicating the model. While the sample size remains limited, preliminary data suggests a strong correlation between emotional support animal presence and resident stabilization in the first 90 days—often considered the most vulnerable period post-detox.
With Los Angeles at the forefront of alternative recovery practices, the potential for scalable pet-inclusive sober housing may expand further in the coming year. Researchers from UCLA’s Integrated Substance Use Programs division have expressed interest in collaborating on a longitudinal study to evaluate these early findings under controlled conditions.
For now, this data appears to represent a significant early signal in the ongoing development of responsive, evidence-based sober living environment strategies.
The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider or licensed medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, mental health concern, or substance use treatment.