LI veterans use virtual reality to fight PTSD with fantastical trips to outer space, animal sanctuaries
A Long Island veterans home is turning to state-of-the-art virtual reality to help residents cope with PTSD, offering immersive experiences ranging from outer space tours to serene animal sanctuaries and the northern lights.
At the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University, residents can dive with sharks, catch butterflies, shoot arrows, race NASCAR cars, watch Broadway shows, or even enjoy a college football game at Ole Miss.
Some experiences are deeply personal, allowing veterans to “return” virtually to countries where they served, such as Vietnam, to see how the land has changed. “You feel like you’re right there,” said 80-year-old Marine veteran Chuck Kurtzke, marveling at the Great Barrier Reef in one of the facility’s high-tech VR headsets.
The Suffolk County home partnered with tech company Mynd Immersive to bring the innovative headset program to residents. “We can take these experiences and put you in your happy place,” said Jonathan Spier, deputy executive director of the home.
For veterans dealing with PTSD or related conditions, the VR sessions offer calming environments such as the northern lights. “It helps eliminate a lot of pain,” Spier said, noting that the program has improved rapidly as VR technology evolves.
Some older residents are using the system to remain active, virtually catching butterflies in scenic fields or practicing archery with handheld devices. “Range of motion in a nursing home is important. If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Spier said.
The VR software, compatible with Meta headsets, also offers guided tours across the globe. One resident who served in Vietnam used it to explore the country as it is today. Meanwhile, 84-year-old Joseph Marino is curious about virtually revisiting Europe. “I would like to go back to Luxembourg because I’ve been there before. It was nice,” he said.
Mynd’s programming includes adventurous options such as skydiving, racing, tours of the International Space Station, horseback riding, animal interactions, and even virtual volcano expeditions. Vietnam veterans tend to favor these thrill-focused experiences, while World War II veterans often prefer calmer scenes, Spier noted.
For Kurtzke, the highlight is standing on the bustling flight deck of an aircraft carrier, recalling two decades of service. “I wasn’t allowed on the aircraft carrier deck, but I did everything else on the inside,” he said. “The headset really brought back memories.”
Spier explained that residents can even share guided VR tours with one another to stimulate mental activity. “They did tours of Europe, walking tours of Washington, D.C., visits to museums in Italy and Paris … the sky is the limit,” he said.
The program was designed by Mynd CEO Chris Brickler, inspired by his grandfather’s dementia and his father’s experience with PTSD. “We’ve never seen a technology you can put on that unlocks memories to this extent,” Brickler said. “It’s something so cool that could change a lot of lives for older veterans, especially the Vietnam generation.”
Brickler added that VR allows veterans to revisit long-suppressed emotions tied to their service. The Long Island facility’s success has helped expand Mynd’s program to 75 veterans’ homes nationwide.
“Medications don’t always work,” Spier said. “This program is creating better interaction and experiences. It’s such a great tool for us.”
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