VA Palo Alto Health Care System
February is National Recreation Therapy Month
Veterans get creative at an arts and craft workshop in Menlo Park.
At VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), Recreation and Creative Arts Therapists are celebrated during National Recreation Therapy Month in February.
Being Veteran-centric, the Recreation Therapy Service (RTS) prides itself on their mission statement, “To provide clinical and holistic services which improve functional levels, promote optimal wellness, facilitate community reintegration, and enhance quality of life.”
VAPAHCS has one of the largest and most dynamic recreation therapy services in the country. RTS includes recreation therapists, recreation therapy assistants, art therapists, music therapists, massage therapists, transportation assistants, administration staff, lifeguards, personal trainers and service dog trainers.
Services are based on a continuum of care that focus on the rehabilitative, educational and recreational needs and interests of the individual Veteran population.
Veterans have experienced benefits such as decreased anxiety, decreased social isolation, increased physical well-being (weight management, hypertension, diabetes), improved social skills, development of new leisure skills, enhanced creative expression, development of positive coping strategies to manage unwanted behaviors, and increased independence in leisure functioning.
Thank you to all the employees in Recreation Therapy Service. Your commitment to the VA mission is greatly appreciated.
Visit our website to learn more about Recreation Therapy at VAPAHCS.
