Learning From the Beyond-Human Animal: Wildlife Encounters in Veterans With PTSD.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) aim to improve human health through human-animal interactions.
• Native American traditions emphasize reciprocal relationships with nature and learning from animals.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts veterans' well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the therapeutic potential of nature and wildlife immersion for veterans with PTSD.
• To investigate how journaling about meaningful animal encounters can facilitate self-reflection and learning.
• To examine the alignment of findings with Native American perspectives on interspecies learning.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving 13 veterans with PTSD participating in nature and wildlife immersion.
• Participants completed journaling exercises, identifying a meaningful animal and its teachings.
• Journal entries were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and insights.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: self-affirmation (increased confidence), calm attentiveness (reduced fear of new situations), and strength/perseverance (resilience).
• Participants reported gaining confidence, becoming more open to new experiences, and developing a stronger sense of perseverance.
• Thematic analysis revealed profound personal growth and therapeutic benefits derived from animal interactions.

Conclusions:

• The study supports Native American teachings about animals as guides for human well-being.
• Findings suggest that animal-assisted interventions, particularly through wildlife immersion and journaling, can be effective therapeutic approaches for veterans with PTSD.
• This research extends AAI by highlighting nature-based, culturally informed therapeutic strategies for diverse populations.