Health

Veterans with PTSD Experience Benefits from Service Dogs

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2024

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A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that service dogs significantly improve mental health outcomes for veterans with PTSD. The presence of service dogs helps reduce PTSD symptoms, including depression and anxiety, and enhances overall well-being. This research supports the therapeutic benefits of service dogs in providing emotional support and improving the quality of life for veterans struggling with PTSD.

Service Dogs as Therapeutic Allies for Veterans with PTSD

Introduction to the Study

A new study has revealed that veterans with PTSD gain significant mental health benefits from having service dogs. This finding emphasizes the therapeutic potential of service animals in managing PTSD symptoms.

Key Findings

The study found that veterans with service dogs reported reduced PTSD symptoms, including lower anxiety and depression levels, compared to those without service dogs. Additionally, these veterans experienced improved overall well-being and quality of life.

Therapeutic Benefits

Service dogs provide various forms of support that can help mitigate PTSD symptoms. These include:

Emotional Support: Helping veterans feel calmer and more secure.
Physical Assistance: Assisting with daily tasks and providing a sense of routine.
Social Interaction: Encouraging socialization and reducing feelings of isolation.

Importance of the Findings

These findings highlight the potential of service dogs as a complementary treatment for PTSD. They underscore the need for increased access to service dogs for veterans and further research into their benefits.

Why This Is Important

Understanding the benefits of service dogs for PTSD can inform treatment approaches and policies, improving support for veterans. It also highlights the need for broader recognition and funding for service dog programs.

Possible Implications

Enhanced Access: Increased provision of service dogs to veterans in need.
Policy Support: Development of policies to support service dog programs.
Further Research: More studies to explore and validate the therapeutic benefits of service dogs.
Public Awareness: Greater awareness and acceptance of the role of service dogs in mental health care.

What to Follow

Program Developments: Initiatives to provide more service dogs to veterans.
Policy Changes: Legislative support for service dog programs.
Research Studies: Ongoing research into the benefits of service dogs for PTSD.
Veteran Feedback: Reports from veterans on their experiences with service dogs.

Conclusion

Service dogs offer significant therapeutic benefits for veterans with PTSD, enhancing their mental health and quality of life. Continued support and research are essential to maximize these benefits and improve veterans’ access to service dogs.

Source: JAMA Network Open

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agriculture

CDC calls for expanded bird flu testing after more dairy worker infections found in Colorado and Michigan

Published

1 week ago

November 8, 2024

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Federal health officials on Thursday called for more testing of employees on farms with bird flu after a new study showed that some dairy workers had signs of infection, even when they didn’t report feeling sick.

Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidance comes after blood tests for 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers — or 7% — had antibodies that indicated previous infection with the virus known as Type A H5N1 influenza.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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apartments

Owner of troubled Aurora apartments faces state investigation related to conditions, consumer-protection laws

Published

2 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

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The owners of several dilapidated apartment buildings in Aurora and Denver have faced a new threat in recent months: an investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office on suspicion of violating the state’s safe-housing and consumer-protection laws.

The state office sent subpoenas to CBZ Management, one of its primary representatives and several of its subordinate companies in September, according to records obtained by The Denver Post. The subpoenas seek answers and records related to a swath of CBZ’s practices, including how it advertises its properties and whether tenants get the apartments they have toured; how the companies track and respond to maintenance requests and health code violations; how they handle security deposits; and how they screen tenants, among other questions.

CBZ Management’s buildings in Aurora have been the subject of extensive tenant and municipal complaints and have recently drawn international attention over allegations the properties were overtaken by gangs.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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Apple

Apple AirPods Pro’s new hearing aid feature could help people face a problem they’d rather ignore

Published

2 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

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By DEVI SHASTRI, Associated Press

Some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can be used as hearing aids with a new software update available in October. It’s a high-profile move that experts applaud, even if they only reach a small portion of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.

An estimated 30 million people — 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 12 — have hearing loss in both ears. Millions would benefit from hearing aids but most have never tried them, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Countless others have tried them, but don’t use them because of cost, poor quality, poor fit, how they look or for other reasons.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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