PTSD

Do Dogs Help Ease Vets' PTSD Or Are Anecdotes Barking Up The Wrong Tree?

By • Jun 12, 2017
courtesy Purdue Center for the Human-Animal Bond

Purdue University researchers are preparing to embark on a study showing whether dogs help ease the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in soldiers.

Previous research has relied mostly on anecdotal evidence showing pets calm their humans and make them happier.

But Purdue human-animal interaction professor Maggie O’Haire says her team will take a number of extra steps, including measuring levels of the stress hormone cortisol and getting in touch with participants at times they won’t expect.

Veterans Turn To Yoga To Help Treat PTSD

By Jill Sheridan • Dec 16, 2016
Jill Sheridan/Indiana Public Broadcasting

An estimated 8 million people in the United States suffer from PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder.

In Indiana, as many as 50,000 Hoosier veterans could be dealing with it.

But a new program is exploring a novel treatment, yoga.

U.S. Navy veteran Larry Dodd has had multiple surgeries.  He deals with poor circulation; he’s a recovering alcoholic; and he and his wife are raising their two young grandchildren because his son is dealing with addiction.

But he’s found something that helps with his stress.

Donnelly Aims To Pass Veteran Treatment Language One Of Two Ways

By Network Indiana • May 27, 2015
http://www.donnelly.senate.gov/about/joe

A bill to expand mental healthcare for veterans has cleared a first hurdle in the Senate, but Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) says there are multiple ways he can try to write the provisions into law.

The Armed Services Committee sent the mental-health bill to the floor last week as part of a national defense bill. But Donnelly says he'll also work through the Veterans Affairs Committee to add coverage for veterans as well.

Indiana Appoints New Women Veterans Coordinator

By Gretchen Frazee • Feb 24, 2015
Expert Infantry / https://www.flickr.com/photos/expertinfantry/

Indiana lawmakers recently established a new position to address concerns specifically facing the state’s 35,000 female veterans.

Laura McKee assumed her role as Women Veterans Coordinator at the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs about a month ago. 

Panel Doesn’t Recommend Funding Alternative PTSD Therapies

By Will Healey • Nov 26, 2014
Rocky Mountain Hyperbaric Institute / http://rockymountainhbot.com/

A report commissioned by the legislature to investigate whether the state should fund alternative therapies for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries was released last week.

The panel, which consisted of representatives from the state Department of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs, declined to recommend the three therapies they were investigating- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation, and Resource Facilitation.