Helping Veterans Overcome PTSD Trauma.

• Position: EQUINE THERAPY

Equine therapy--a treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance emotional healing--can jumpstart the healing process for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shows research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

"Both PTSD patients and horses are preoccupied with ongoing concerns about trust and safety. This innovative therapy facilitates bonding, overcoming fear, and re-establishing confidence," says Yuval Neria, professor of medical psychology and director of Columbia University's PTSD program. "One must build trust with a horse for it to warm to you."

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 10% to 30% of veterans endure PTSD, a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as combat, a terrorist act, or sexual assault.

Symptoms are wide-ranging and can affect people in...