Shy Wolf Sanctuary has joined forces with Home Base Florida to provide veterans and military families an opportunity to participate in Shy Wolf Sanctuary’s Healing Hearts Program.

The collaboration is unique to Home Base Florida’s Adventure Series which supports veterans and their family members through a variety of free events and activities. In collaboration with businesses and non-profit organizations, Home Base offers year-round opportunities for veterans to connect, engage and thrive to improve their wellbeing. Past events have included pizza nights, golf lessons, pickleball, boat cruises, sporting events and much more.

Veterans enrolled in the Shy Wolf Adventure Series participated in an educational encounter with their rescued resident animals who often come from abused, abandoned and neglected situations. In a peaceful environment, the animal encounter becomes a restorative setting, where they open to experience forgiveness, courage and unconditional love offering healing for both the veterans and the animals. Following the encounter, the veterans assisted in a volunteer project around the sanctuary to help with hurricane preparation by clearing loose debris.

While serving, servicemen and women are constantly surrounded and supported by their fellow service members, and losing this close-knit support system can create social challenges after exiting the military leading. Many veterans struggle with isolation, depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety. Adventure Series events help veterans build a supportive network of peers with similar experiences. These interactions provide opportunities for personal growth and development, to give back to the community and regain a sense of purpose while learning from each other and building lasting friendships. Involving families in these activities strengthens family ties and support systems, recognizing that when a Veteran serve, their Family serves as well.

For more information about Home Base Florida, visit homebase.org/Florida.

For additional information about the Shy Wolf Sanctuary, a a501(c)(3) nonprofit facility located in Naples, visit its website at shywolfsanctuary.org.