OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A Nebraska veterans group is helping its members heal using six-string therapy.
Every month members gather to learn guitar and jam at Bellevue University.
The Guitar 4 Vets program is music therapy for those dealing post-traumatic stress.
Joyce Thalmann spent 12 years – active duty – in the Army, through Desert Storm and Desert Shield. For Thalmann, the guitar lessons not only developed her playing – but helped work on her people skills.
“It gave me a release outlet for when my anxiety gets going,” she said. “It helps calm me down.”
For Angela Tunali, who spent 20-years in the Army, her guitar is like medicine.
“I can go home where I’m almost having an anxiety attack – and I can just sit and play and get lost in the music for a while. And by the time I’m done, everything has lifted,” Tunali said. “It’s been a tremendous help for me.”
