Emily D.

Wheaton
1447 Morningside Dr. Iron Station, North Carolina || (704) 699-7047 || ewheaton@uncc.edu

July 12, 2016

Dr. Briana Perkins,
I am interested in an internship opportunity at the Bit of Hope Ranch that focuses on
research related equine therapy with PTSD. Currently, I am an undergraduate student at the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte where I study psychology as well as cognitive science.
My anticipated graduation date is Spring 2018; afterwards, I intend to enter into the Health
Psychology PhD program where I will focus on clinical psychology and post-traumatic growth
(PTG) in relation to PTSD. Prior to beginning my education, I served in the United States Army
and the North Carolina National Guard.
It was through my military career that I found a profound personal connection to veterans
and PTSD. While perusing my degree I conducted various experiments in relation to PTSD in
both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. One experiment
allowed me to correlate certain behavioral patterns in veterans with PTSD with a decreased
feeling of overall support from the civilian sector. It was through this experiment that I was most
influenced to seek employment at your internship. I found that a majority of veterans did not feel
that the orthodox methods of therapy worked, yet they were not opposed to more unconventional
methods such as equine therapy. My ability to bond with the individual veterans I surveyed is
credited towards my background in the military.
My resume shows that the majority of my experience is from the military as well as
volunteer service at the Horse Protection Society of North Carolina. Through my education I
have created a network with a number of influential professors at the University of North
Carolina, such as Dr. Albert Maisto and Dr. Richard Tedeschi.
As my resume shows I have worked with the Undergraduate Psychology Research team
and gained the competency to conduct research with confidence. In addition, I have conducted
various independent research experiments effectively identifying how PTG correlates with PTSD
with the veteran population. Furthermore, I am currently incorporating Rick Snyders Hope
Theory and Martin Seligmans Learned Optimism Theory into my positive psychological
therapy model for a small population of UNCCs veteran population. From these research
practices I have created my own psychotherapy model to assist individuals struggling through
debilitating illnesses.
If considered for this internship it will serve to further my research and provide a
framework that would benefit my future endeavors and the livelihood of my patients. I
appreciate any consideration you give to me for this opportunity. Please contact me at the phone
number or email address found above if you have any questions.
Regards,
Emily D. Wheaton