The outdoors, physical challenge, and the bond with a dog have helped thousands of veterans reclaim their lives. These programs are free, proven, and waiting for you.
VA appointments and therapy are important — but they're not the whole picture. These programs meet veterans where they are: on a trail, in a kayak, or with a dog at their side. Evidence-backed, peer-supported, and built specifically for the veteran experience.
Wilderness and adventure programs reduce PTSD symptoms, build community, and restore a sense of purpose. Every program below is free to eligible veterans.
Multi-day outdoor adventure programs — kayaking, hiking, rafting, cycling — designed to help post-9/11 combat veterans reconnect with themselves and each other. Free to eligible veterans.
Post-9/11 combat veterans with physical or mental health challenges.
Enriches veterans' lives by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Local chapters nationwide — runs, rides, hikes, and events. Free membership.
All veterans and active duty service members. Civilians welcome as supporters.
Free wilderness courses for veterans — backpacking, rock climbing, sea kayaking. Evidence-based outdoor therapy that reduces PTSD symptoms and builds community.
Veterans of all eras. No outdoor experience required.
Connects veterans to local community organizations and programs. Fills the gap between VA services and community support — finds programs in your area you didn't know existed.
All veterans and their families.
Service dog program pairing trained dogs with veterans to help manage PTSD and other service-related conditions.
Veterans
Trains and places service dogs with veterans to support recovery from PTSD and other conditions.
Veterans
Service dog training and placement for veterans with disabilities.
Veterans with disabilities
Outdoor adventure experiences for wounded, ill, and injured veterans to promote healing through nature.
Wounded, ill, or injured veterans
Outdoor recreational activities and community events for veterans and military families.
Veterans and military families
Healing retreats for veterans and military families in a farm-based therapeutic environment.
Veterans and military families
Programs and services for post-9/11 injured veterans including mental health, career counseling, and physical wellness.
Post-9/11 injured veterans
Mindfulness and meditation resources for veterans using mala beads and contemplative practices.
Veterans
Yoga and mindfulness programs specifically designed for veterans to support healing and resilience.
Veterans
Free VA mobile app providing mindfulness tools and guided meditations to help manage stress and PTSD.
Veterans
Free VA app for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia — helps veterans improve sleep.
Veterans with sleep issues
High-quality CBD products with veteran discounts to support wellness and recovery.
Veterans (discount available)
Outdoor therapeutic retreats for combat-wounded veterans and their families.
Combat-wounded veterans and families
Transformational retreat program for veterans using outdoor adventure and peer support.
Veterans
Healing retreats and programs for veterans dealing with PTSD and moral injury.
Veterans with PTSD or moral injury
Community service and outdoor activities for veterans to find purpose and camaraderie post-service.
Veterans
Free event tickets (sports, concerts, performing arts, family events) for military and veterans.
Active duty, veterans, and military families
Exclusive discounts on gear, travel, entertainment, and more for military, veterans, and first responders.
Military, veterans, and first responders
Surf therapy program for veterans and active duty military to promote healing through the ocean.
Veterans and active duty
Custom adaptive surfboards and surf therapy for wounded veterans.
Wounded veterans
Surf therapy camps for wounded, ill, and injured veterans and active duty service members.
Wounded, ill, or injured veterans and active duty
Fly fishing programs for disabled active military and veterans to support physical and emotional rehabilitation.
Disabled active military and veterans
Free golf events and programs for wounded, ill, and injured veterans and service members.
Wounded, ill, or injured veterans
Free lifetime access to all National Parks for veterans and Gold Star families.
Veterans and Gold Star families
Gaming and esports community for veterans and active duty military to combat isolation and PTSD.
Veterans and active duty
Outdoor adventure experiences for veterans to promote healing and camaraderie.
Veterans
Remote-controlled vehicle hobby programs and events for veterans as a therapeutic activity.
Veterans
Outdoor adventure retreats for veterans to reboot and reconnect through nature.
Veterans
Therapeutic retreats in a natural setting for veterans and military families.
Veterans and military families
7.5-day retreat in New Mexico for veterans and one support person. Travel not included.
Veterans and one support person
Yoga and mindfulness programs for veterans to support recovery from PTSD and trauma.
Veterans
VA-sponsored adaptive sports programs for veterans with disabilities including wheelchair sports, skiing, and more.
Veterans with disabilities
Healing and wellness programs for veterans through outdoor activities and community support.
Veterans
Music therapy programs for veterans to support emotional healing and mental wellness.
Veterans
Retreats pairing veterans with professional songwriters to process experiences through music.
Veterans and active duty
Hunting, fishing, and outdoor retreats for veterans and their families.
Veterans and families
Faith-based disability assistance and support programs for veterans and military families.
Veterans with disabilities and military families
Outdoor adventure and wellness programs for veterans to promote healing and gratitude.
Veterans
5-day family retreats in WA, CO, TX, GA, MD for veteran couples and families. $100 refundable commitment fee.
Veteran couples and families
Cannabis and wellness resources for veterans seeking alternative therapies for PTSD and chronic pain.
Veterans
Support programs for Special Forces veterans and their families including wellness and transition assistance.
Special Forces veterans and families
Surf therapy and community for veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related conditions.
Veterans with PTSD
Faith-based wilderness retreat for wounded veterans and their spouses through Samaritan's Purse.
Wounded veterans and spouses
Adaptive ski and snowboard programs for veterans with disabilities at multiple mountain locations.
Veterans with disabilities
Wellness programs and financial assistance for veterans and military families.
Veterans and military families
Scuba diving therapy and underwater adventures for veterans to support healing and camaraderie.
Veterans
Outdoor adventures and community programs for veterans to promote healing and brotherhood.
Veterans
Kayak fishing events for veterans and active duty military at chapters nationwide.
Veterans and active duty military
Honors veterans by placing wreaths on graves at national cemeteries. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities.
All veterans (memorial program)
Physical and social activities connecting veterans to their communities through sports and fitness.
Veterans
5-day fly fishing retreat in Montana for combat veterans. Take-home fitted equipment. No cost to combat veterans.
Combat veterans
Free gym memberships and fitness classes for veterans 65 and older through Medicare-covered program.
Veterans 65+ with Medicare
Gym memberships and fitness equipment for post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans.
Post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans
Summer/winter adaptive sports, caregiver, family, and virtual programs in Colorado. No cost.
Veterans, caregivers, and families
PATHH program: 7-day veteran initiation retreat with 3 months of follow-on support. Family retreats 2-7 days. No cost to veterans.
Veterans and families
Faith-based 6-day retreat in Montana for veterans and couples. Travel not included.
Veterans and couples
Multi-day retreats at multiple Colorado locations for veterans. Covers lodging, food, and travel from Aspen. $100 refundable fee.
Veterans
Single and multi-day retreats for veterans and caregivers at Red Feather Lakes, CO. Little to no cost.
Veterans and caregivers
5-day faith-based events in CO, CA, IL, MD, NJ, GA for veterans. Travel not included.
Veterans
Fishing, hunting, retreats, and caregiver activities in Pennsylvania for veterans and couples.
Veterans, couples, and caregivers
Veteran, caregiver, couples, and family retreats. Also provides children back-to-school supplies. $50 registration fee.
Veterans, caregivers, couples, and families
3-day healing retreat in Houston, Texas for veterans.
Veterans
Family retreats including Universal Resorts Orlando and staycations. Check often — programs may pause due to demand.
Veterans and military families
Faith-based family camp for veterans and military families.
Veterans and military families
Outdoor adventures and community programs for veterans in Western New York.
Veterans in Western New York
Outdoor recreational programs for veterans in Iowa.
Veterans in Iowa
Weekend retreats and events for veterans to connect, heal, and find community.
Veterans
Faith-based events and programs for veterans through the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.
Veterans
Streaming platform with yoga, meditation, and wellness content for veterans seeking mindfulness resources.
Veterans
Provides trained service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, or military sexual trauma.
Veterans with PTSD, TBI, or MST
Wilderness expeditions and outdoor courses designed to help veterans reconnect, heal, and grow.
Veterans
A trained service dog can reduce nightmares, interrupt anxiety spirals, and provide the kind of unconditional presence no medication can replicate. These organizations provide dogs and training at no cost.
Provides highly trained service dogs at no cost to veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD, or TBI. One of the largest and most established service dog organizations in the country.
Veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD, or TBI. Competitive application.
Provides guide dogs for blind veterans and service dogs for veterans with other disabilities including PTSD. All dogs provided at no cost. Affiliated with Guide Dog Foundation.
Veterans with visual impairment, PTSD, or other qualifying disabilities.
Trains service dogs using a mission-based model where veterans with PTSD and TBI help train the dogs — providing therapeutic benefit to both the veteran trainers and the eventual recipients.
Veterans with PTSD or TBI. Both as trainers and as recipients.
Trains and provides service dogs to disabled American veterans — particularly those with PTSD and mobility issues. Dogs provided at no cost after an 18–24 month training process.
Disabled veterans, particularly those with PTSD or mobility impairments.
Provides custom-trained service dogs to veterans with physical disabilities and PTSD. Dogs are trained to the specific needs of each veteran. No cost to the recipient.
Veterans with physical disabilities or PTSD.
Coalition of nonprofit service dog organizations. Their accredited member directory helps veterans find legitimate, high-quality service dog programs — important for avoiding fraudulent organizations.
All veterans seeking service dogs.
Trains and places psychiatric service dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other invisible wounds. Dogs trained to interrupt nightmares, provide grounding, and create personal space in public.
Veterans with PTSD, TBI, or other psychiatric conditions.
Trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans. Dogs are trained for PTSD support and explosive detection. Unique program with proven outcomes for both veterans and inmates.
Combat veterans with PTSD.
The VA will pay for veterinary care, equipment, and supplies for service dogs used by veterans with certain disabilities — but only if the dog was obtained through a VA-approved program. Most veterans with service dogs don't know the VA covers vet bills.
Veterans with service-connected visual, hearing, or substantial mobility impairment who have a service dog from an ADI-accredited program.
Provides medical service dogs trained for PTSD, TBI, seizure response, and diabetic alert to veterans at no cost. Dogs are individually trained to each veteran's specific medical needs.
Veterans with PTSD, TBI, seizure disorders, or diabetes.
Rescues shelter dogs and trains them as psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans with PTSD. Addresses two problems at once — veteran mental health and shelter dog overpopulation.
Post-9/11 combat veterans with PTSD.
Provides trained service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, or MST. The bond between warrior and dog has helped thousands reclaim independence. Completely free — including training.
Post-9/11 veterans diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or MST.
Provides therapeutic intervention using specially trained dogs for veterans with PTSD and TBI. Also trains veterans to train service dogs — a dual-benefit program.
Veterans with PTSD or TBI. Inpatient and outpatient programs available.
Matches veterans with shelter animals trained to provide companionship and emotional support. Covers adoption fees, training, and supplies. Helps both veterans and animals.
Veterans experiencing PTSD, depression, anxiety, or isolation.
Isolation is one of the most dangerous things a veteran can face. These programs build real community through shared activity — local chapters, events, and people who get it.
Enriches veterans' lives by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Local chapters nationwide — runs, rides, hikes, and events. Free membership.
All veterans and active duty service members. Civilians welcome as supporters.
Connects veterans to local community organizations and programs. Fills the gap between VA services and community support — finds programs in your area you didn't know existed.
All veterans and their families.
Outdoor recreational activities and community events for veterans and military families.
Veterans and military families
Gaming and esports community for veterans and active duty military to combat isolation and PTSD.
Veterans and active duty
Remote-controlled vehicle hobby programs and events for veterans as a therapeutic activity.
Veterans
Healing and wellness programs for veterans through outdoor activities and community support.
Veterans
Surf therapy and community for veterans dealing with PTSD and other service-related conditions.
Veterans with PTSD
Outdoor adventures and community programs for veterans to promote healing and brotherhood.
Veterans
Honors veterans by placing wreaths on graves at national cemeteries. Volunteer and sponsor opportunities.
All veterans (memorial program)
Physical and social activities connecting veterans to their communities through sports and fitness.
Veterans
Outdoor adventures and community programs for veterans in Western New York.
Veterans in Western New York
Weekend retreats and events for veterans to connect, heal, and find community.
Veterans
No Experience Needed
Every program listed here is designed for veterans with no prior outdoor or adventure experience. They meet you where you are.
Completely Free
All programs on this page are provided at no cost to eligible veterans. No hidden fees, no insurance requirements.
Peer-Led
Most programs are run by veterans, for veterans. The people leading these programs have been where you are.
Know a program we missed?
Adventure therapy and service dog organizations are some of the most underfunded and underknown resources available. Help us surface them.