The sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country are innumerable. When they transition from combat, these veterans can sometimes struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and feelings of anxiety or depression. However, there are many programs in place to help veterans with any issues that may arise in their life after service. Listed below are six major programs and organizations with the mission to help veterans.
1. Pets for Vets
Animal trainer Clarissa Black founded this program as a way to rescue shelter animals and give back to the country's heroes. Pet for Vets rescues dogs from shelters across the country and trains them to be companion and therapy animals. Veterans who apply for a pet are interviewed to determine which dog would align with their needs. Once the dogs are paired with their vet, they are trained to accommodate that veteran's specific needs. This could mean training the dog to get used to wheelchairs or handling behaviors associated with PTSD. Pets for Vets is committed to saving shelter animals that will potentially save a veteran.
2. Warrior Songs, Inc.
This nonprofit organization uses the creative arts as a way for veterans to heal. Warrior Songs, Inc. offers programs like singing, painting and pottery through which veterans can express any emotions they may have about their service that they cannot express verbally. In this program, veterans are offered the chance to attend a four-day retreat where they can share their experiences with other veterans through art. The organization also hosts the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival every year in order to promote art as a method of healing for veterans.
3. Heroes and Horses
In this program, veterans can participate in a free month-long retreat at a horse ranch in Three Forks, Montana. During the retreat, veterans are taught horse riding skills and given the opportunity to bond with the animals. Heroes and Horses' main goal is to teach self-efficacy to the veterans in a way that also promotes healing. They do this through their three-stage process, which includes stress inoculation, application and integration.
4. Warrior Hike
For physically driven veterans, Warrior Hike provides a chance to heal through hiking. The program supports veterans who want to hike America's National Scenic Trails as a way to make peace with their combat experiences. Warrior Hike provides these veterans with the supplies and equipment necessary to complete treks like the 2,185-mile-long Appalachian Trail. The program also coordinates with veterans along the trails to provide lodging and support for the hikers.
5. Project Healing Waters
Founded in 2005, this nationwide program teaches veterans how to fly fish. The close proximity to nature helps veterans heal mentally and emotionally. Additionally, Project Healing Waters hosts fly fishing competitions to promote friendly competition between veterans and teach them about setting goals.
6. Boots to Business
In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Boots to Business is geared toward business-oriented veterans. It is a three-step program that teaches entrepreneurial practices and tactics to veterans with small business ambitions. The SBA offers two courses in the Boots to Business program. Introduction to Entrepreneurship is a three-day classroom program where veterans learn the basics of entrepreneurship, create business goals and share successes. Foundations of Entrepreneurship is an eight-week online program where veterans create business plans and learn the techniques for opening their own businesses.
Though veterans face many challenges upon their return from duty, there are many programs available to assist them. Life after service does not have to be a daunting prospect. The six organizations listed above are just a few of many designed to help veterans get the most out of civilian life.