Coping with PTSD
 

The following activities and programs can help veterans, servicemembers and their families cope with PTSD:

• Horseback Riding - Stable Strides

  • www.StableStrides.org 

    • Based in a large military community of Colorado Springs, Colorado, provides equine therapy for veterans, active duty servicemembers and military families.  They promote positive physical, behavioral, cognitive, emotional and social development by fostering a connection with horses

• Beekeeping - Hives for Heroes

  • www.HivesforHeroes.com

    • Is a national nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas, comprised of beekeepers and veterans that focus on honey bee conservation, suicide prevention, and a healthy transition from service

• Cycling - Pedal Against PTSD

  • www.paptsd.org

    • Aims to raise awareness regarding the severity of PTSD, and to share the benefits the sport of cycling brings to all military veterans and their families.  The organization is recognized in all 50 states as well as certain oversea countries, and seeks to provide vets with quality bicycles, create a strong community outreach program, and contribute funds back to the research and development of PTSD.

• Service Dog Training - Captain’s Canines for Heroes

  • www.CaptainsCaninesForHeroes.org

    • Captain’s Canines is a Port St Lucie, Florida based nonprofit organization that enlists recovering warriors in a therapeutic mission of training a dog on how to become a service dog for fellow veterans with disabilities. As a result, warrior trainers benefit from the psychological and physiological animal/human bond.

• Scuba Diving - Waves Project

  • www.WavesProject.org

    • Was established to help wounded veterans experience the freedom and challenge of scuba diving.  The organization believes the unique properties of an aquatic environment are ideal for wounded veterans as they rehabilitate from various injuries, including amputations, spinal cord injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), and PTSD

• Surfing - Warrior Surf

  • www.WarriorSurf.org

    • A nonprofit program in Folly Beach, South Carolina that works to provide free surf therapy, wellness coaching, yoga, and community to veterans struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues

• Yoga - Veterans Yoga Project

  • www.VeteransYogaProject.org

    • Based in California, teaches 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families in order to improve the overall health and wellbeing of all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms or are focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others

• Swimming with Dolphins - Island Dolphin Care

  • www.IslandDolphinCare.org

    • Based in Key Largo, Florida, Island Dolphin Care provides a unique dolphin assisted therapy program for veterans, military personnel, caregivers, family members, and gold star spouses, children and parents.  Each program is tailored to meet the needs of the participants.  There is no cost for veterans to participate.

• Bird Keeping - Parrots for Patriots

  • www.ParrotsforPatriots.org

    • Many veterans have gained a new meaning in life by taking in abandoned birds that have been trained and donated by Parrots for Patriots.  A nonprofit organization located in Vancouver, Washington, that matches unwanted or abandoned parrots with any veteran desiring companionship.  

• Hockey - Veterans Hockey United

  • www.VeteransHockeyUnited.com

    • Mission is to bring the veteran, military and first responder communities together to grow the game of hockey through a no-cost player and team registration.  The organization’s focus is on providing a positive outlet to raise awareness on suicide prevention, and the stigma of PTSD and mental health issues, and perform fundraising in support of gold star families.