Field exercises: how veterans are healing themselves through farming and outdoor activities

Description

Field Exercises explores complementary approaches to conventional therapeutic and medical interventions, offering hope for veterans searching for ways to ease the transition to civilian life and recover from stress and trauma. Author Stephanie Westlund shares the compelling stories of men and women who are finding relief from the effects of their military experiences through outdoor activities such as farming, gardening, hiking, rafting, canoeing and horseback riding, while also exploring : deep connections between nature and human health, the tremendous impact of stress and trauma on survivors' lives, veteran-initiated community networks and peer support initiatives, and other resources and groups in the emerging field of "green care.";Introduction -- Transitioning to Civilian Life and Living with Post-Traumatic Stress -- Connections between Nature and Healing -- Getting Back to Our Roots' Nathan Lewis and the Veterans' Sanctuary -- Peace by the River -- Christian McEachern and the Canadian Veteran Adventure Foundation -- Tangible Results' Penny Dex, Doug Fir Veterans and Boots to Roots -- "We All We Got"- Deston Denniston and VETS_CAFE -- Learning to Trust Again- Steve Critchley, Jim Marland and Can Praxis -- "Each Year I Feel Better"- Christopher Brown and Growing Veterans -- A Chance to Prove Myself Again- Gordon Cousins -- "Life Is Good Now"- Shepherd Bliss and Kokopelli Farm -- Making a Case for Green Care in North America -- Endnotes -- Appendix 1: Resources for Veterans -- Appendix 2: Gardening on Your Own or With Your Family -- Index -- About the author.