The following is a review of the literature on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) as a potential treatment for US service members with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). EAP is a relatively new and undeclared psychotherapeutic technique that presents limitless opportunities for holistic growth in patients who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who have not achieved an improvement in their quality of life as a result of other conventional treatments. Due to its heterogenous nature, PTSD directly dismantles the brain’s reward circuitry pathway, altering the individual’s capacity for emotional resolution. For US veterans suffering from PTSD who have not received palpable improvements through traditional talk therapies, EAP is a treatment for emotional vulnerability and communal reintegration when used in conjunction with techniques of attachment theory and cognitive-behavioral theory. Previous studies show an uptick in interpersonal trust and an alleviation of maladaptive defensive mechanisms set in place by the individual to protect the psyche. Research is indicative of an alleviation in overall symptomatology with an emphasis in the rehearsal of therapeutic strategies within interpersonal relationships to rehabilitate social engagement and cognition. Due to the lack of foundational acceptance of EAP thus far as a treatment for PTSD, it is challenging to ascertain a marginalized understanding of the holistic effects of EAP on PTSD as a stand alone psychotherapeutic treatment.

Many Americans are sentimental about horses and believe that American horses deserve special treatment under the law for their important roles in American culture and history. In 2006, the House of Representatives passed a bill, known as H.R. 503, to end horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S., and the following year in 2007, the horse slaughter ban began in the U.S. In this paper, the ineffectiveness of the horse slaughter ban to protect unwanted horses in the U.S. is demonstrated. More horses have been transported to less-humane slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada, and more horses have been abandoned, abused, and neglected in the U.S. since the horse slaughter ban began. It is important to consider how American sentiments about horses contributed to H.R. 503 to better understand the ineffectiveness of the horse slaughter ban. People who were in favor of H.R. 503 relied on animal rights arguments, which tend to be more emotional than animal welfare arguments, by appealing to American sentiments about horses. The public increasingly believes that animals have rights. If animal rights activists do not find ways to protect unwanted animals, their ideas can infringe on animal welfare.

Spaying and neutering your pets can contribute a positive change to the overall health of the animal. Many owners are worried that removing their reproductive organs will change their animal’s personality, behavior, make them more susceptible to problems and diseases. With spaying and neutering generally there are no lasting issues to behavior, personality, yes there could possibly be short term symptoms of mild behavior changes, sleepier, etc., but that is mainly due to being under anesthesia and try to recover from surgery. It in fact increases your pet’s overall affection level, playfulness, reduces diseases, and reduces unwanted behavior. Like any surgery there are some drawbacks of spaying and neutering, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in my opinion because these possible drawbacks can be managed with a responsible owner. With that said this paper will explore the importance of spaying or neutering pets by reviewing ethical and societal implications pertaining to overpopulation. Sterilization options will be discussed to reduce overpopulation which should have a corollary impact in the reduction of euthanized animals and animals that are abandoned to the streets to fends for themselves. Finally, a discussion on breeders will review how excessive breeding contributes to euthanasia, the dumping or neglect of animals that fail to meet criteria that would allow the animal to be sold at a premium price. Responsible pet owners choose to have their dog or cat sterilized to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens. Spaying and neutering are humane, ethical, and responsible ways to prevent unwanted litters, help protect against health problems, and may reduce behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.