Those who make a living working with their hands, or who build for a hobby, know well the unique feeling of focus and relaxation it can create. The staff behind Backyard Farm and Garden USA in Brazil, Indiana certainly know how it goes. It's a big part of the reason they've brought veterans to work in the shop.
The Tribune-Star reported that the shop specializes in custom metal and wood work, making everything from playhouses to chicken coops.
Shop owner Mark Smith, who served as an Army medic in Iraq, moved from California to Brazil to support his friend, a fellow veteran.
"I got started because I wanted to work with veterans directly," he told the Tribune-Star. "There is a therapeutic quality to using your hands and creating something. I feel that woodworking works for veterans. It seems to be a good fit."
According to Backyard Farm and Garden USA's website, the company seeks to help veterans adjust to their life after service through good, meaningful work. Patriotism isn't the only reason they've caught on, however. The projects they custom-build have become quite popular, with local businesses requesting special items, families relying on Smith's shop for playgrounds for their children and farmers trusting nothing but Smith's chicken coops.