Music, Writing and Service Dogs
Comfort and Healing All Around US
Combat Stress Magazine: Winter 2021-2022
Volume 10, Number 4
Or Read Articles Below
Editor’s Message
By Christiane O’Hara, PhD, FAIS
Music & Traumatic Stress: Music Therapy Research and Treatment with Military Populations
By Julie Garrison, MA, MT-BC
The Healing Process of Music Therapy: The Use of Therapeutic Song Writing with a Veteran
By Sarah M. Miller, MT-BC
Warrior to Healer: Combat Marine to Music Therapist
By Mark Sauza, USMC (Ret)
Music of My Soul: My Journey to Healing
By Connie Hunter-Baptiste
The Hero’s Journey: The Arts and Trauma Recovery
By M.B. Dallocchio, LMSW
Dog Walk Home: A Documentary Film Portraying Veteran Families Battling
PTSD with the Help of Service Dogs
By Vicki Topaz
How Service Dogs Can Reduce Veteran PTSD and Save Lives
By Mary Cortani
Editor In Chief
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS
AIS President
Editor
Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
COL (RET), US Army
Guest Editor
Christiane O’Hara, PhD, FAIS
Contributing Editors
Josh Briley, PhD, FAIS
Lousie Gaston, PhD
Reverend Charles Grantham, PhD
Jeff Jernigan, PhD, LPC, BCCPC
John H. Thurman, Jr. M.Div., MA
Tom McMurtry, DAIS
Managing Editor
Kathy Schoop
Creative Director
Michael McMahon
AIS Combat Stress Board
Chaired by Colonel Platoni, the role of this board is to develop initiatives and communications to serve the stress management needs of Service Members and Veterans.
Kathy Platoni, PsyD, DAAPM, FAIS
Clinical Psychologist
COL (RET), US Army, COL/Ohio Military Reserve
4th Civil Support and Sustainment Brigade
Stephen Barchet, MD, FACOG, CPE, FACP, FAIS
Rear Admiral/MC/US Navy Retired
Richard S. Biehl, MA, FAIS, Police Chief, Dayton, Ohio
Brian S. Earthman MD, FAIS, Psychiatrist, MAJ (Ret), US Army Reserves, Medical Director, EPI, Inc.
Dave Fair, PhD, D Min. CMC, FAIS, Certified Master Chaplain, President ChaplainUSA, Senior Chaplain, Brown County, Office of Emergency Management
Charlie Bass, MD, PhD, FAIS, LTC., U.S. Army, (Ret)
Christiane O’Hara, PhD, FAIS, Advisor, Women Veteran Social Justice Network
Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS, Pain and Stress Specialist, US Navy Contractor (Ret), President, The American Institute of Stress
Combat Stress Magazine
Combat Stress magazine is written with our military Service Members, Veterans, first responders, and their families in mind. We want all of our members and guests to find contentment in their lives by learning about stress management and finding what works best for each of them. Stress is unavoidable and comes in many shapes and sizes. It can even be considered a part of who we are. Being in a state of peaceful happiness may seem like a lofty goal but harnessing your stress in a positive way makes it obtainable. Serving in the military or being a police officer, firefighter or paramedic brings unique challenges and some extraordinarily bad days. The American Institute of Stress is dedicated to helping you, our Heroes and their families, cope with and heal your mind and body from the stress associated with your careers and sacrifices.
Combat Stress magazine is indexed by EBSCO and archived online at stress.org. Information in this publication is carefully compiled to ensure accuracy.