Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2023: $119,032.00
Projected End Date: 10/02/2026
Grant Recipient:
Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS)
Region: North Central
State: Michigan
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Adam Ingrao
Michigan Food and Farming Systems
Description:
Veterans experience higher risks of suicide and mental health disorders due to the traumas of military service, disabilities, and the difficulties of reassimilation into civilian life. Therapeutic interventions using human-animal interactions have shown promising results in reducing many risk factors affecting veterans’ quality of life. This quality improvement project sought to consider if veterans participating in a recreational therapy program focused on beekeeping and administered by the Department of Veteran Affairs would experience quality of life improvements using a standardized EQ-5D-5L assessment. Our results indicate significant changes in mobility, anxiety/depression, and overall health for veterans participating in beekeeping as a recreational therapy. Implications for practice and future research are presented.
Type:
Peer-reviewed Journal Article
File:
Download file (PDF)
Target audiences:
Educators; Researchers
This product is associated with the project "Training agriculture professionals and educators to support beginning farmer veterans’ mental health."
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.