Texas State and The Pearl study a resident dog’s role in addiction recovery

The Pearl has launched a study with Texas State University to examine whether a full-time resident French Bulldog can improve recovery for women in residential addiction treatment. The research begins July 22, 2026, in Texas and could shape future behavioral health models.

Why it matters: - The study could help show whether a permanent canine presence improves emotional safety, trust, community engagement and spiritual well-being in early recovery. - If the findings match what clinicians have observed, the research could support broader use of resident companion animals in behavioral healthcare settings. - The project focuses on women in residential addiction treatment, where connection and stability can affect recovery outcomes.

What happened: - The Pearl, a women’s residential addiction treatment program within Foundation Stone Family of Programs, partnered with Texas State University on a research study on the spiritual benefit of canine presence in substance use disorder treatment. - The study begins July 22, 2026, at The Pearl’s residential campus in Texas. - Bougie, a French Bulldog, will live full-time at The Pearl and become part of the treatment community.

The details: - Researchers will study how the daily presence of a resident canine affects connection, emotional regulation, hope, purpose and spiritual engagement among women in early recovery. - The project will use both qualitative and quantitative measures throughout participants’ treatment experience. - The study will examine whether consistent interaction with a resident canine enhances emotional safety, trust, community engagement and spiritual well-being. - Bougie will share daily life with residents and provide consistent companionship through treatment. - The program distinguishes Bougie from a therapy dog that visits periodically. - Marsha Stone, founder and CEO of Foundation Stone Family of Programs, said the team has observed for years that healing happens through connection. - Stone said addiction isolates people and recovery restores relationships with self, others and often a Higher Power. - Morgan Gaither, the study’s principal investigator and a graduate student at Texas State University, said the project builds on personal recovery experience and research interest. - Jonathan Stone, Bougie’s veterinarian, said companion animals can provide comfort without expectation.

Between the lines: - The study is testing a recovery idea that is common in practice but thinly researched in residential addiction care: a permanent animal member of the community, not a visiting therapy animal. - The framing around spirituality suggests The Pearl is looking beyond symptom management and toward treatment models that address emotional and relational healing. - A successful outcome could give treatment programs a research-backed reason to consider resident animals as part of care design.

What's next: - Researchers will track participants across their treatment stay and evaluate whether the canine presence changes recovery experience. - If the results are positive, the findings could influence future treatment models and encourage wider adoption of resident companion animals in addiction and behavioral health programs. - The Pearl says its broader goal is to combine clinical excellence with human experiences that help people feel safe, connected and engaged in recovery.