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War-torn Troops Soothed
by Horses’ Spirit
(zootoo.com)
MIAMI -- The science of the
human-animal bond is proving very effective in a
new arena: on the home front of a new war.
Returning veterans are finding help, as well as
healing in therapy that involves a saddle and a
set of reins.
"It feels pretty good. I feel
tall," said U.S. Marine Gene Calonge, who
recently returned from his deployment. Learning
to ride again is strengthening the bodies and
minds of young vets here at the South Florida
Veterans Multi-Purpose Center in Davie, Fla.
The last time Calonge mounted
a horse, was his service with the Marine Corps.
This time around it's Sam, a 4-year-old Arabian,
giving him a much-needed boost.
"It's different bonding with
an animal, you feel like you're not going to be
judged so much about anything so ... you and him
just have a good time,” said Calonge.
What is an Equine Assisted Learning Program,
And Why Horses?
Unlike humans horses are prey animals. As such,
they are constantly aware of others and their
surroundings. Instinctively, as prey animals,
their survival depends on their ability to sense
any underlying emotional current in their
environment. They use their animal wisdom - keen
sense of smell, hearing, body awareness, and
vigilance - to keep them safe. They are fully
present in the moment and require us to get out
of our heads and be fully present.
Horses are
powerful messengers that mirror back their
direct experience of humans. They are completely
congruent and authentic with what they
experience – in other words, what they show on
the outside matches what they feel on the
inside. They don’t deny or mask their feelings
and our masks/personas don’t fool them...
VA Researchers Link PTSD To Higher Risk Of
Dementia In Old Age.
In continuing coverage, the Oregonian (7/13,
Dworkin, 291K) said US military veterans who
have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) "are
much more likely to grow demented in old age
than vets who did not have that psychiatric
diagnosis," US scientists recently
"announced...at an international Alzheimer's
conference."
Scientists at the San Francisco
Veterans Affairs Medical Center "used electronic
medical records from the VA's National Patient
Care Database to track more than 53,000 vets
with PTSD from 2001 through 2007. They compared
that group with nearly 128,000 veterans not
diagnosed with PTSD," and found "10.6 percent...
The VA’s own website (www.va.gov) confirms 75%
of all applications for VA pension are denied
the first time. Is this a conspiracy by the VA?
Does the VA have a “quota” for approvals? Are
they trying to save federal money? Do they know
the proper regulations? In my 34 years with the
VA, I even heard “that pension applications are
only approved the last 10 days of the month”.
NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE!
VA applications for
pension are disapproved because they are not
complete and well-documented. Yes, now that
pension claims are worked in the St. Paul and
Philadelphia Pension Centers only, the
atmosphere for help and approval is far better,
and applications are resolved more quickly (4
months instead of 9 months). Gone are the days
when certain individuals in local Regional
Offices (RO’s) WOULD DENY everything. Those of
you who were forced to deal with the Phoenix and
Alburguergue RO’s in the past know this is true.
I hope the following 5 reasons for denial
will help you navigate the VA process. Yes, the
VA’s “duty to assist” exists, but this is the
one area where the VA responsibility continues
to fail. If you are not inform, our represented
by Elder Law Firms like Jackson White, you may
be unprepared to deal with the VA and perfect
your benefits...
Courts for only ailing vets are spurring debate
in California. There's one in Anchorage, AK;
Buffalo, NY; Colorado Springs, CO; Phoenix;
Santa Ana, CA; Santa Clara, CA; and Tulsa, Ok.
Also, one is coming to Pittsburgh, PA. These
places have or will have courts designed for
criminal defendants who are military veterans
diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder,
traumatic brain injuries and/or substance-abuse
problems.
The goal of these courts is to
rehabilitate the veterans, not by putting them
in jail but by providing aggressive case
management, which often includes closely
monitored medical treatment, counseling and
permanent housing.
Debate over the concept is happening across
the nation. In Sacramento, CA, Assemblywoman
Mary Salas (D-Chula vista) introduced a bill
this year to establish veterans courts
statewide. Her legislation sparked such intense
controversy that she quickly pulled it from
consideration. Two years of negotiations have
not produced a veterans court in San Diego
County, which is home to about 250,000
veterans...
Veterans affected by VA hospital errors to
file claims
Some
now have HIV, hepatitis after being exposed to
infectious body fluids CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - An
attorney is preparing to ask the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs to pay disability benefits
and damages for hospital mistakes that may have
exposed veterans to infectious body fluids — a
complaint that he said could ultimately multiply
into many more such demands.
The attorney,
Mike Sheppard of Nashville, said he is preparing
to file claims with the VA for about 60
veterans, including three women...
by Donna Teresa, Staff Writer News
is made every day, this summer is no different.
Whether it is politics, entertainment, sports,
local, world, national, etc. we all are consumed
by it.
I do understand the attachments we
place on our favorite singers, movie and sports
stars etc. I have my favorites as well. We
wouldn't be human if we didn't. I suppose the
articles and stories that are not "war-related"
get more views and clicks. War is depressing,
right?
I have received many comments from friends
and e-mails asking me how I handle writing about
war, because it often involves writing about
loss of life. I can best answer this in the only
way I know how.
My writing comes from my heart and yes, my
heart does hurt often with many of these
articles; it has not been easy. But, what keeps
me going is the fact that if I don't write about
them who will? I've never lived with the
assumption that someone else will do it.
My fear of America forgetting about our
veterans and troops has kept me motivated
through the years. I'm grateful for the other
writers and reporters out there who have
faithfully covered the troops and veterans
during these tough times...
Some
now have HIV, hepatitis after being exposed to
infectious body fluids CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - An
attorney is preparing to ask the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs to pay disability benefits
and damages for hospital mistakes that may have
exposed veterans to infectious body fluids — a
complaint that he said could ultimately multiply
into many more such demands.
News
is made every day, this summer is no different.
Whether it is politics, entertainment, sports,
local, world, national, etc. we all are consumed
by it.
