The County of Los Angeles Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) and the Wolf Connection, a wolfdog rescue center and sanctuary, are joining forces to offer a course in resiliency to women veterans. Intended to promote and facilitate healing, the course is particularly aimed at those affected by trauma. It’s also available completely free of charge.
Encouraging Healing
The program, set to run for eight sessions, will foster a “pack experience” for all participants. It’s focused on nurturing the inherent ability to heal present within all human beings, while the wolves are there to exemplify and mirror the healing journey for participants. The wolf dogs, wolves, and human staff will provide practical and positive “self-regulation and resiliency strategies”. Women veterans will be encouraged to contemplate their own individual roles within the group along with the unique ways they can help the local community and wider society.
Transitioning to Civilian Life
The transition back to civilian life is typically difficult mentally, socially, and financially for veterans. “The hardest part of coming back home was to be rejected by people because of the way I look. I gave everything for them and their families, and I never thought this would happen”, said an explosive-disposal unit service member. Fortunately, visiting Willow Wolf provides veterans with vital mental health support. “Being unconditionally accepted and loved by Willow [wolf] has literally changed my life. I feel a huge weight releasing off my chest, as if one of my lungs was missing too and now I have it back.”, the veteran said.
Helping Beverly Hills Veterans
Veterans in Beverly Hills and across the country struggle to find stable, affordable housing and account for 8% of the homeless population. Fortunately, veteran loans are guaranteed or partially backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs in order to help veterans secure a mortgage with a $0 down payment and no required private mortgage insurance. Furthermore, in addition to home loans, the DMVA is dedicated to helping LA County veterans and active service members with resources, services, programs, and financial benefits. Such benefits include medical and mental health referral, education, compensation, and pension claims, and employment assistance.
Scheduled for summer/fall 2021, the program will run for eight weekly sessions at the Wolf Hart Ranch in Acton, CA from 9am-2pm. Groups will be capped at ten participants.