Rural WAVE expands Veteran reintegration

The process of transitioning from military service can be a complex experience. In addition to significant lifestyle changes, many Veterans also experience physical, psychological, economic and spiritual stressors that affect their mental health and quality of life.

This includes moral injury, the distressing aftermath that can occur when an individual experiences or witnesses an event that conflicts with their moral or ethical values.

In rural areas, where access to mental health care providers and support services is limited, adjustment to civilian life can be especially difficult for transitioning Veterans. Research suggests that Veterans who experience moral injury tend to seek alternative forms of support rather than traditional mental health care. Some Veterans, including those in rural communities, say that helping other Veterans is beneficial in coping with difficult emotions related to their military service.

Congress established the VA Office of Rural Health (ORH) in 2006 to improve the health and well-being of America’s nearly five million rural Veterans through research, innovation and dissemination of best practices. As an advocate for rural Veterans, ORH works with partners from academia, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations to increase access to specialized care and implement programs that improve the health and well-being of rural Veterans.

Rural WAVE helps Veterans connect with their communities

In 2021, the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Salt Lake City and the Durham VA Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation partnered with the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement and the National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) to establish the Rural WAVE (Wellness and Veteran Engagement) Initiative. It focuses on strengthening interpersonal connections, renewing a sense of purpose and mission, and improving the overall quality of life for Veterans and their families. The initiative uses civic engagement activities, such as volunteering and community service, to help Veterans establish meaningful connections within their communities.

“The Rural WAVE strives to be inclusive and focuses on rural Veterans, but it also encourages families and civilians interested in supporting Veterans to participate in community reintegration,” said Kimber Parry, project co-leader and licensed clinical social worker. “The initiative is non-clinical, so Veterans do not need to have a certain diagnosis to participate.”

Tomah VA served as the initial pilot site for the Rural WAVE Initiative. As part of the pilot, Tomah VA established partnerships with Pet Partners and Project Healing Waters. The partnership with Pet Partners offers Veterans the health and wellness benefits of animal-assisted interventions. Project Healing Waters provides Veterans with a comprehensive fly-fishing program that focuses on camaraderie and socialization.

Rural WAVE to expand to other rural areas

“External partners such as Pet Partners work with Rural WAVE to develop more opportunities for Veterans,” said Dr. Jamie Davis, HAP health system specialist and Rural WAVE consultant. “The partnership with Pet Partners brings rural Veterans the benefits of the human-animal bond, including pet visitation and pet therapy.”

VA’s partnership with Pet Partners supports its mission to spread the health and wellness benefits of animal-assisted activities and therapies. Volunteers at Tomah who have worked with Veterans and animals through Pet Partners value the relationships they form through the partnership. The power of the human-animal bond is exemplified by the experience of a volunteer who says, “The dog is the conduit to getting the Veteran to begin opening up and talking and feeling comfortable.”

Project Healing Waters offers a fly-fishing program to Veterans with an emphasis on promoting camaraderie and fostering social connections. A volunteer who participated in a Project Healing Waters event shared his experience working with a Veteran. “He picked up on the fly and was casting really well. When I tell him how great he’s doing, you can see the sparkle in his eye,” the volunteer said.

Tomah VA has recruited 11 new volunteers, coordinated over 35 new volunteer events and activities, and reached over 300 rural-residing Veterans. Rural WAVE expanded to Central Alabama VA and Popular Bluff VA. The initiative plans to expand to additional rural sites.

Get more information about HAP.