Mississippi Monkey Sanctuary Aids Veterans with PTSD in Achieving Tranquility
The Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary, a 15-acre property in rural southeast Mississippi, is set to open its doors to the public next summer for guided educational tours [1]. Founded by Air Force veteran April Stewart, the sanctuary is home to three spider monkeys, two squirrel monkeys, and two kinkajous, all of which were once someone's pet but couldn't be properly cared for [2].
The sanctuary offers a unique healing environment for veterans suffering from PTSD. Through animal therapy, veterans find solace and trust in caring for and interacting with the rescued primates [3]. John Richard, an Army veteran, has found peace working with a spider monkey named Louie at the sanctuary. He shared, "This interaction helps veterans 'reteach themselves how to trust and gives grace with people,' creating an environment conducive to emotional healing from past trauma" [1].
The sanctuary aims to bring the animals together with their own species and provide as natural a habitat as possible [1]. Each of the three large enclosures for the different species includes a smaller air-conditioned area and a large fenced-in outdoor zone [2]. April Stewart relies on a group of volunteers, including several other veterans, to help care for the animals at the sanctuary. She has formed a foundation to govern the sanctuary, ensuring the animals will be cared for even when she and her husband are no longer able to run it [4].
The Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary is the only primate sanctuary in Mississippi, licensed by the US Department of Agriculture [5]. Stewart developed PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma and has found solace in the work she does at the sanctuary [6]. The sanctuary's mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the animals and to help veterans heal from their own traumas.
References: [1] The Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary: Healing Through Animal Therapy for Veterans with PTSD. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.gulfcoastprimate.org/ [2] Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.gulfcoastprimate.org/about [3] Animal-Assisted Therapy for PTSD. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/animal-assisted-therapy.asp [4] Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.gulfcoastprimate.org/foundation [5] Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.gulfcoastprimate.org/about [6] Stewart, A. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.gulfcoastprimate.org/about
- The Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary, a unique platform nestled in southeast Mississippi, offers guided tours for the public, aiming to bridge the world of animal conservation with the culture of education.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the sanctuary provides a transformative space for veterans suffering from PTSD, using art therapy with primates as a means to foster mental health and emotional healing.
- Spanning across three large enclosures, each dedicated to a different species, the sanctuary strives to provide a natural habitat, encapsulating the essence of science and animal welfare.
- Beyond the border of the Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary lies a story of resilience and healing, as its founder, April Stewart, combines her passion for primates with her personal journey of overcoming military trauma, making strides in the global conversation surrounding mental health.
