Alternative therapies to treat post-traumatic stress or brain injuries are bringing relief to veterans who say more traditional approaches don’t work.
Rep. Danny Burgess is sponsoring a bill (the Alternative Treatment for Veterans Act) in the 2017 Florida legislative session to authorize the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to provide state funding for alternative treatments offered by nonprofits and state university organizations, according to a news release from Burgess’ office.
It is similar to the national Cover Act (Creating Options for Veterans’ Expedited Recovery), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, which focuses on mental health care options, such as sports therapy and service dog therapy.
Such legislation “will help ensure the (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) finally recognizes that one size does not fit all when it comes to treating Veterans for physical and invisible wounds,” said Bilirakis, in a written statement in the press release.
According to Burgess, the state legislation will put “Florida in the lead of serving those who served us.”
Alternative therapies, including service dog therapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment, “have saved my life,” said Brian Anderson, a retired Green Beret and founder of Veterans Alternative in Pasco County.
If approved, the state Veterans Alternative bill will open opportunities to help more veterans statewide, Anderson said.
For information on Anderson’s program, visit VeteransAlternative.org.
Published December 28, 2016
