Currently, there are 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care that serve more than 9 million enrolled Veterans every year [1]. Notwithstanding this, Veterans are also able to receive care in non-VA hospitals and medical centers. Irrespective of whether they are receiving care in a VA hospital or medical center or not, the Department of Veterans Affairs (“DVA”) estimates that for every 100 Veterans, 11-20 experience post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”). This means that, at a minimum, of the 18.5 million Veterans in the United States [2], between 2.07 million and 3.76 million currently suffer from PTSD. According the DVA’s Office of Research and Development, 1.7 million Veterans received treatment for mental health issues including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse in VA mental health specialty programs in 2018 [3].

Blanket Therapy is the application of weight to particular parts of the body through a blanket  to stimulate the production of serotonin, endorphins, and other hormones to induce sleep and relaxation [4]. Blankets utilized typically weigh between 5 and 30 pounds, and mimic deep pressure stimulation [5]. Deep pressure stimulation is a therapeutic technique that is used to relax the nervous system [6]. Blanket Therapy has been used to help treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia [7][8][9]; and it has been reported that Veterans that utilize weighted blankets have experienced relief with respect to painful flashbacks and trouble sleeping [10].