Whole health fly fishing community partnership offers a unique healing experience for veterans | va salisbury health care | veterans affairs

Often revered as one of the most peaceful sports in the world, fly fishing offers participants a one-of-a-kind experience where they may become one with nature. Anglers are methodical as

they swing their rods in the breeze and cast their flies into the water. It's truly a rhythm, like a duet with nature.  For Veterans who may be experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress

Disorder (PTSD), sports like fly fishing are a haven.  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD, the condition is more common among Veterans than

civilians, with seven out of every 100 Veterans – about 7% - experiencing PTSD or related symptoms. The Salisbury VA Health Care System is proud to partner with community organizations that

support VA’s mission to care for and serve Veterans and their families. One such organization, Project Healing Waters (PHW) Fly Fishing, a national nonprofit with chapters across the United

States, gives Veterans the unique opportunity to participate in fly fishing skill-building classes and attend trips to local, regional, and national ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams to

experience the tranquil sport at no cost to the Veteran.  “This is a journey we take,” said Rickie Woodson, assistant program lead of the Winston-Salem chapter of PHW.  Woodson, 74, is a

U.S. Navy Veteran and familiar with what many Veterans experience when transitioning to civilian life. “We have so much in common that we can help each other and talk to each other. We don’t

have to talk about what took place, but we can still relate and give each other support.”  “It’s made a world of difference for me; it’s changed my life with my family to be able to be part

of this group. I’m a different person,” added Woodson. Woodson said summer is their slow season and the group often takes a little time off for vacationing with their families. But as fall

approaches, things will get back into swing with classes and fly fishing activities and trips well into spring. In the meantime, the Whole Health team at the Salisbury VA has also partnered

with PHW’s Winston-Salem chapter for several events in August 2024, including fly-tying classes.  “This idea of community which represents that outer ring of the Whole Health circle is a

great example of a community partner,” said Dr. Christina Vair, psychologist and Salisbury VA’s Whole Health Clinical Director. “Not only the benefits of a social connection, but the

benefits of being outdoors is something that a lot of research evidence shows that there can be several different benefits to our health and well-being when we connect with nature,” added

Dr. Vair. Additionally, the group hosts fly-tying classes on Wednesday mornings at the South Fork Community Center in Winston-Salem from 9 a.m. to noon. In September, the group plans to

start their rod-building classes. Currently, the PHW Winston-Salem chapter has about 40 Veteran participants and 30 volunteers. Woodson said one of the group’s biggest goals is to continue

to grow membership and volunteers and to have any Veterans from different backgrounds and fishing experience join the group.  U.S. Army Veteran and PHW member James Smith, 75, who served in

the Vietnam War, has been with the group for about 15 years.  “Before joining the group, I really didn’t get out much. I stayed home a lot,” explained Smith who initially joined the group

after learning about them during a visit to the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center.   “It really has helped me to cope and the friendships and camaraderie you build over time has

been priceless,” added Smith who has dealt with PTSD. PHW Winston-Salem chapter originally reached out to BJ Farmer, executive administrative officer at Kernersville VA Health Care Center

(HCC) and began setting up a booth at the HCC to reach more Veterans. “Sometimes with PTSD, [Veterans] have triggers and it’s nice to just have a way to escape. Nature has a way of calming

you down naturally - the sound of the water in the camaraderie of Veterans, who may have experienced the same things you did,” said Farmer, who is a U.S. Air Force Veteran. “We always want

our Veterans to engage and find good things they can relate to, and if it helps with their mental health or PTSD, we have tried to support those community organizations that can come in and

give those Veterans an outlet to further their treatment plan.” For more information on the Salisbury VA’s collaboration with community partners, email the Office of Strategic Communications

& Public Affairs at [email protected]. At the Salisbury VA Health Care System, our mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in

our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.  Learn more at www.va.gov/salisbury-health-care.