HARPSWELL

The Harpswell-based veterans’ services nonprofit Embrace A Vet tripled their donations this year at their third annual fundraiser and barn party held last Saturday.

The idea for Embrace A Vet was conceived four years ago, said Executive Director Joy Johnson, “as a response to the overwhelming number of young people coming back from war and veterans already living in Maine with post traumatic stress.”

Teaming up with naturopathic physician Fredic Shotz, who co-owns Maine Integrative Wellness in Falmouth, Johnson launched Embrace A Vet to offer alternative forms of therapy to veterans living with post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

“We offer retreats for veterans and a significant other — for example, a spouse, a family member or a child,” said Johnson, “and introduce them to energy psychology and alternative therapies like acupuncture, Reiki and massage.”

The retreats, which are paid for by donations to the nonprofit, can last three to five days and occur three or four times annually in different locations, said Johnson, depending on the recreational component of the retreat.

In past years the retreats have taken place at Weatherby’s Maine Fishing and Hunting lodge in New Gloucester and Bald Mountain Camps in Oquossoc, and have included fly fishing, cross-country skiing, therapeutic riding and other activities.

Embrace A Vet also launched a Paws for Peace program, which pairs veterans with dogs, often adopted at local shelters, and trained to be service dogs.

“We’ve placed nine animals,” said Johnson. “We can locate the dog, pay for the adoption and pay for the training, which can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 in all.”

Johnson said it can be challenging for veterans with post traumatic stress and brain injury to be placed with service or companion dogs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who prioritize veterans with physical injuries for placement.

“The fundraiser was held to continue to raise awareness and to support our programs,” said Johnson. “This was the biggest we have ever had,” she said, noting that a live auction was held to support Paws for Peace and the retreat program.

“Bath Savings Institution and Mid Coast Hospital gave us corporate sponsorship,” she said, “and the community was also so supportive.”

A new program is in the works, said Johnson, to organize a support network for the families and caregivers of Maine veterans who live with post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

“We have had so many requests for this from caregivers,” said Johnson. “One woman, who married a soldier who suffered a significant traumatic brain injury, said ‘I married a soldier and he came back a child.’ She had to develop all types of skills to be with him and care for him 24/7.”

Embrace A Vet is a volunteer organization, said Johnson, and 100 percent of proceeds go to support programming for veterans and their families.

“There are 133,000 Maine veterans,” said Johnson. “Nationally, 22 veterans commit suicide a day — that’s one every 65 minutes. Anything we can do to support these veterans and their families is a big plus for us.”

For more information about Embrace A Vet, visit www.embraceavet.org or www.facebook.com/Embrace AVet, or call Joy Johnson at (207) 720-0225.

FOR MORE, visit www.embraceavet.org or www.facebook.com/Embr aceAVet, or call Joy Johnson at (207) 720-0225.