Fishing Therapy Programs for U.S. Military Veterans

As an angler, I'm aware of the therapeutic properties of fishing. As a U.S. Military Veteran, I'm aware of the rigors of service and the stresses of deployment. The Take a Vet Fishing programs are part of a wonderful movement that combines these two factors in order to provide positive and enriching experiences for disabled prior service members. There are numerous programs in various states, consisting of many active volunteers. Some are aboard boats; some are along the shore. All services are free of charge and many include picnics, barbecues, and cookouts as well. These programs have been very successful as they continue to grow and move forward with their mission. Some organizations are:

- Take a Vet Fishing NFP (takeavetfishing.org)

From the takeavetfishing.org website:

Our slogan is "A Day of Giving Back" and is the core of our mission. When our brave service men and women return from overseas, as a nation, we have been failing to show these heroes our appreciation. A shockingly high number of service members are returning with injuries and even the soldiers without physical wounds are having a hard time adjusting back into the "real world". These "Heroes" have given so much of themselves for our freedom. Reaching out and offering a "Thank You" with a hand shake, is the very least we can do. At Take a Vet Fishing, we take it a step further. Not only do we show these heroes our gratitude and shake their hand, we hand them a fishing rod and ease their minds back into civilization.

- Take a Vet Fishing (First Congregational Church)

From their Facebook page:

Take-A-Vet-Fishing's mission is simply to provide friendship and fellowship to disabled and recovering veterans by getting the vets and their staff out of the clinical environment for a relaxing day of fishing. It is truly the best medicine.

Take-A-Vet-Fishing (TAVF) is the cornerstone program of the veterans outreach mission of the First Congregational Church of Branford, CT. Based on the shore of Long Island Sound in the New Haven area, about 10 miles from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus. Serving the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Next Step program, the Errera Community Care Center, the Brownell House, the Harkness House, CT D.A.V., VA Newington, CT Veterans Home Rocky Hill, South Park Inn Homeless Shelter and others. 

Take-A-Vet-Fishing was started in 2007, seeking ways to engage and provide fellowship to disabled and recovering veterans in the New Haven area. The program has grown each year by filling an important need and by embracing the goodwill and caring spirit of Connecticut residents. 

Each event is a complete package free of charge. Veterans are provided transportation, equipment, food and beverages, easily accessible waterfront fishing and whatever level of assistance they might require.  

- Project Healing Waters

From the mission statement on their website:

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maryland. PHWFF receives no government funding and is dependent on tax-deductible, charitable donations and the help of numerous volunteers to meet the educational, equipment, transportation, and related needs of its participants. 

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. strives to effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our nation. 

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing's Equal Opportunity Policy: No person shall be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of PHWFF on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sexual preference, sex, national origin, marital status, physical or mental handicap or any other legally protected characteristic. The organization shall take meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness and diversity in its hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment and selection of PHWFF representatives and participants.

- Take a Soldier Fishing (Veterans and Active Duty)

From their website: 

We assist communities at large, by offering them the ability to show their support for the troops by sponsoring our Take A Soldier Fishing program. This allows service members to see just how much they are appreciated. For those that serve to support our fishing program, it gives the individual the ability to see how their support makes a profound difference in a service member or veterans life by providing a safe and positive outdoor experience.

We strive to show that there are people out there that care, and want to help. By providing these events, we have found they give the soldiers something to look forward to. We have also found that soldiers have also changed their outlook on life - the way they feel about wearing their uniform and a new sense of hope.

- The Wounded Veterans Fishing Program

From their website: 

Our goal is to provide an alternate means of therapy for our wounded returning from combat with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Physical Disabilities. Give them a stress free, non medical environment to interact with others returning from combat and those with previous combat experiences to increase their moral. Finally to provide them with a tool to reutilize in the future should relapse occur. 

The Wounded Veterans Fishing Program was created in the beginning of 2009 by VFW Post 318 of Olympia, Washington. Originally the concept was done by Danny Gabriel with a few of his fishing friends who felt the need to help American Wounded.  

Fishing is the most relaxing sport and is a very good way to build a person’s confidence and morale.

No matter which branch you were in, the rank you achieved (officer or enlisted), which country or war you fought in, we all share the knowledge of one central thing: sacrifice. The above programs are run by proud veterans and dedicated volunteers who contribute their valuable time and effort in hopes that we may relax and decompress, and it's not a matter of coincidence that they've chosen fishing as the primary means to do so.