Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center - Richmond, VA

This week is National Therapeutic Recreation Week. Recreational Therapists assist Veterans as they prepare to transition back to the community.

Therapist provide treatment and recreational activities for individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions to help improve and maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being while working to reduce depression, stress and anxiety.

Some of the activities include fishing, horseback riding, music, arts and crafts, sports, dance and games. Therapist also uses techniques such as leisure education which consist of teaching new skills, time management training, education and financial management resources.

Therapist plays an important role in the daily recovery and healing of our Veterans. “We’re therapeutically fun. There is a cognitive purpose behind everything we do, says Paulette Beasley, Recreational Therapist on floor 2B Inpatient Polytrauma. We get the opportunity to watch their patients grow and progress through the program.”

This week, we salute the many Therapists in honor of their service to the men and women receiving care at McGuire VA Medical Center!