We owe our nation’s veterans every possible path to recovery from the wounds they suffer during active duty. In many cases, those treatments should extend beyond what’s provided within the walls of a hospital.
Last month, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced the Outdoor Recreation Therapy for Veterans Act. The legislation comes on the heels of an increasing number of studies (like this 2013 report by the Sierra Club) showing a strong link between outdoor recreation and healing. Research also supports that our nation’s veterans — especially those recently returning from war — could benefit from treatment that includes outdoor recreation.
“Outdoor recreation such as hunting and fishing provides camaraderie and healing for veterans who struggle with the wounds of war…. This bill would ensure barriers to accessing outdoor activities that assist veterans are evaluated and removed if needed.”
— Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Service Director Carlos Fuentes.
A number of programs and nonprofits are already working to connect veterans to cycling and other outdoor activities. Through establishing an interagency task force, the Outdoor Recreation Therapy for Veterans Act will take the additional steps needed to identify any existing barriers that prevent veterans from more broadly utilizing outdoor recreation for medical treatment — such as public lands access and hurdles within the research and medical community.
The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will chair the task force and be joined by representatives from other agencies, including the Department of Defense, Army Corps of Engineers and Agriculture Department.
