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Introduction: Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) offer potential physical and psychological health benefits that may assist Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, more feasibility studies are needed regarding intervention details, adverse events, reasons for study withdrawal, and animal welfare.
Methods: This mixed methods feasibility trial involved a modified crossover study in which Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms were provided a series of 8 nature and wildlife immersion experiences to evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy. The sample included 19 Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms who were followed for a mean of 15.1 weeks. The intervention was comprised of a baseline forest walk, assisting with wildlife rehabilitation, observation in a wildlife sanctuary, and bird watching. Post study bird feeders were provided for sustainability.
Results: This AAI nature/wildlife immersion intervention was feasible, acceptable, and safe to administer to Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms with appropriate support. Logistical and relational facilitators were identified that supported the wildlife immersion activities. Participants reported greatly enjoying the activities. Attention to animal welfare and care was an important ethical foundation that also contributed to feasibility.
Discussion: AAI immersion experiences with wildlife are feasible and can safely be administered to Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms. Logistical and relational facilitators are important to support nature and wildlife immersion activities.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11170146 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1290668 | DOI Listing |
Fish Physiol Biochem
August 2025
Graduate Program in Animal Science and Fisheries, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil.
This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of chitin from the exoskeleton (exuviae) of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and purified chitin (PC) from shrimp in diets for channel catfish juveniles. Five experimental diets were formulated to provide chitin at two inclusion levels (500 and 1000 mg kg). A diet devoid of chitin was used as a control.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Vet Res
July 2025
Center of Excellence in Wildlife, Exotic, and Aquatic Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Background: Aeromonas schubertii, an emerging pathogen primarily recognized in humans, shrimps, and other mammals, is increasingly implicated in aquatic animal diseases. Despite its growing prevalence, reports of its involvement in fish diseases are limited. This study investigates a natural outbreak of A.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFish Shellfish Immunol
October 2025
Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Research Center of New Technologies and Applications for Targeted Therapy of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China. Electronic address:
The global expansion of aquaculture has been accompanied by escalating bacterial disease outbreaks, particularly vibriosis, leading to substantial economic losses. To address the limitations of conventional vaccines, including cumbersome administration and suboptimal efficacy, we developed a novel live attenuated vaccine against Vibrio pathogens using an epitope fusion strategy. By recombinant fusion of the epitope peptides of LptD (LptD) with a truncated OmpU (OmpU1) and using the attenuated V.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Invertebr Pathol
September 2025
CAS Key Lab of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Cent
The parasitic dinoflagellate in Hematodinium genus is an important pathogen of economically important wild and cultured marine crustaceans worldwide. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate its epidemics, life cycle history, and transmission route. Recent in-field and lab studies have validated the effectiveness of the waterborne transmission route and hypothesized that dinospores are the key life stage to infect the crustacean hosts via waterborne transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFish Shellfish Immunol
October 2025
Center of Excellence in Wildlife, Exotic, and Aquatic Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Electronic address:
The striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), a commercially important aquaculture species, is severely impacted by Bacillary Necrosis of Pangasianodon (BNP), caused by Edwardsiella ictaluri, with mortality rates reaching up to 100 %. Vaccination presents a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, promoting disease control and aquaculture sustainability. This study aimed to develop a mucoadhesive chitosan-coated nanoemulsion (CS-NE) vaccine, characterize its physicochemical properties, and evaluate its efficacy against E.
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