Army Veteran Shiela G., on left, fishes off the end of the dock at East Fork Lake State Park during a one-day event sponsored by the local Heroes on the Water Chapter. Army veteran Patricia P., on right, tries fishing from the center of the dock. Both veterans were participating with fifty-one (51) other veterans at the joint Soulstang/Heroes on the Water Veterans Event. Photo courtesy DAV Chapter #63.
Navy Veteran Nicholas A.. on left, and Army Christopher E., on right, land back on shore after spending the early morning fishing and paddling in a dual-seat kayak on the waters of East Fork Lake State Park. Many of the veterans who participated in the Heroes on the Water kayaking opportunities had never experienced being on the water in a kayak. Photo courtesy DAV Chapter #63.
United States Air Force veteran Jeff Wittneben, on right, receives handling instructions on controlling a 600-pound wild Mustang in an arena from Soulstang Leader of Horsemanship Kit Collins. All of the veterans participating in the Soulstang/Heroes on the Water one-day veterans’ event have never been this close to a horse in an enclosed arena. Photo courtesy DAV Chapter #63.
Soulstang Volunteer Shannon Groshirm, center, provides small group instruction to veterans attending the Soulstang/Heroes on the Water joint event at East Fork Lake State Park. Following the instruction, veterans were encouraged to touch and groom the Mustang. Volunteer Groshirm explained the reactions of the Mustang to strangers and how veterans can gain the confidence of the horse. Photo courtesy DAV Chapter #63.
Fifty-three (53) veterans participated in a combined Soulstang/Heroes on the Water event conducted at East Fork Lake State Park on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
The veterans were from the Fort Thomas Domiciliary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County); DAV Department of Ohio; volunteers from the Soulstang Equine PTSD Therapy Program; and volunteers from the local Chapter of the Heroes of the Water.
The coordinator of the local Heroes on the Water Chapter, Andrew Stump, himself a decorated Army veteran, explained the overall purpose of the event as a day the veterans, who resided at the Fort Thomas Domiciliary, can forget about the pressing cares of the world and enjoy themselves in the open air and on the water if they desired.
The veterans were divided into two groups and each group spent two and a half (2 ½) hours with both the Heroes on the Water and the Soulstang Programs. One (1) hour was dedicated to a catered lunch and an opportunity to talk with other veterans.
The Heroes on the Water Chapter provided twenty (20) kayaks and all the fishing gear, including licenses, for the veterans to use at the lake. Volunteers from the organization provided advice on safety procedures for kayaking and assisted the veterans in baiting their hooks for their fishing opportunities.
The Soulstang’s Leader of Horsemanship, Kit Collins explained to the veterans that wild mustangs have very similar characteristics as do military personnel. The mustangs must be aware of danger from predators like wolves, bobcats, and coyotes. The wild mustangs have a stallion leader who remains vigilant at night to protect the herd.
Following a short presentation by Mr. Collins, the veterans’ group was broken up into four (4) smaller groupings and a Soulstang volunteer explained how to develop trust with the mustangs with hands-on training.
This basic equine training included grooming the Mustang and leading the Mustang with body movements and motions.
Recreational Therapist Taylor Walt, at the Fort Thomas Domiciliary, discussed the importance of having veterans participating at the event.
For example, one female veteran, who did not know how to swim, was extremely afraid of the water. With a little coaxing from the Heroes on the Water volunteers, she boarded a dual-seated kayak with Ms. Walt and subsequently paddled to the center of the lake.
This was a “little” victory, according to Ms. Walt, but an extremely big confidence victory for the female veteran. The veterans selected for participation in the Veteran’s Domiciliary Program were suffering from acute mental health issues during their military service.
These mental health issues ranged from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Military Sexual Trauma (MST); depression; substance use disorder; homelessness; alcohol dependence; and other illnesses acquired during their active-duty service.
The Domiciliary Programs take a whole health approach to address challenges these veterans may experience, including medical concerns and social needs such as employment and housing. The programs provide these services 24/7 in a structured, supportive, and comfortable residential environment at Fort Thomas.
Many of the veterans, who participated in the event, were following a three (3) month to seven (7) month plan, developed by Ms. Walt. The remaining veterans were following another schedule developed by VA Therapist Rick Johnson.
According to Therapist Johnson, his main goal was to work with each veteran to regain a lifestyle of self-care, independence, and personal responsibility. He accomplishes this goal by having veterans communicate with each other, build relationships with each other, establish confidence in making their decisions, and to learn to cope with the outside world.
“By having veterans participating in events like this one,” according to Johnson, “is just one step toward breaking the deadly cycle of PTSD, depression, and finally suicide.”
The one-day event took five (5) months of planning with the Heroes on the Water Chapter; the Soulstang Program; the Fort Thomas Domiciliary Program; the DAV Department of Ohio and DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County). The Event was funded by the DAV Department of Ohio, as a part of their Department’s Outreach and Engagement Program.