Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the addition of Veterans Health Administration Hospital Data. With the goal of presenting VHA quality and safety data to Veterans, their families, and the public in a useful and understandable format.

The data that can be found on Hospital Compare includes data for quarterly, timely, and effective measures, VHA satisfaction survey results, outcome measures including mortality and readmission rates for specific conditions, behavioral health measures, and measures of patient safety.

If you or a loved one need information on VHA Hospitals to make a decision on where to be treated, check out the new Hospital Compare at https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has partnered with PEACE Ranch in Traverse City, Michigan, for a therapy program that uses rescue horses to help veterans with PTSD. A licensed mental health therapist works with veterans at the ranch for eight hours each week. In light of the program’s success over the past three years, the VHA has sought to double its hours. The expansion will allow the program to help almost twice as many veterans as the current 170.

“More time for PEACE Ranch means that more veterans will successfully be able to deal with the PTSD that is confining them in their lives, and basically coming out here gives them new life,” said PEACE Ranch Executive Director Jackie Kaschel.

Horse therapy can serve as an alternative or supplementary healing method when traditional treatments and medications prove ineffective. In the January issue of the journal Social Work, researchers reported that equine-facilitated mental health programs have shown promise in treating veterans with mental health problems and reintegration issues.

There are many equine programs available to veterans throughout the United States. Nonprofit organization Wounded Warrior Project works with PATH Int’l Equine Services for Heroes to heal using horses. Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association also promotes horse-assisted psychotherapy for veterans suffering from mental health issues.