Main description:

There are nearly twenty-five million veterans and active-duty soldiers in North America. Some experts estimate that more than one quarter of these men and women suffer from post-traumatic distress, and many other military persons experience difficulty reintegrating into civilian life. While conventionally prescribed treatments primarily involve medication and therapy, many people are discovering additional ways to manage their injuries and reduce their suffering. Field Exercises: How Veterans Are Healing Themselves through Farming and Outdoor Activities shares the compelling stories of men and women who are finding relief from stressful and traumatic military experiences, while also establishing community networks and other peer support initiatives. Stephanie Westlund examines: * The deep and far-reaching connections between nature and human health * The tremendous impact of stress and trauma on survivors' lives * Resources and groups providing opportunities in the emerging field of "Green Care". Field Exercises offers hope for veterans searching for methods to ease the transition to civilian life and recover from military stress and trauma.
This book will appeal to millions of North American soldiers, veterans, and their loved ones, doctors, psychiatrists, social workers and other caregivers, other groups struggling with high rates of stress and post-traumatic experience, and all those interested in the relationship between nature and human health. Stephanie Westlund holds a PhD in peace and conflict studies. She has been conducting research with veterans since 2009, and continues to be inspired by their courage and personal resolve to move through pain toward recovery, and their unrelenting desire to serve their communities.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Outlining the Connections between Nature and Human Health
Chapter 3: A Brief History of Post-traumatic Distress
Chapter 4: Getting Back to Our Roots-Nathan Lewis and the Veterans' Sanctuary
Chapter 5: Peace by the River-Christian MacEachern and the Canadian Veteran Adventure Foundation
Chapter 6: Seeing the Results of Your Labor-Penny Dex and Boots to Roots
Chapter 7: We All We Got-Deston Denniston and VETS_CAFE
Chapter 8: Being Changed by My Service-Tim Smith
Chapter 9: Each Year I Feel Better-Chris Brown and Growing Veterans
Chapter 10: A Chance to Prove Myself Again-Gordon Cousins
Chapter 11: Life Is Good Now-Shepherd Bliss and Kokopelli Farm
Chapter 12: Making the Case for Green Care in North America
Chapter 13: Resources and Practical Tips for Veterans