To help combat veterans suffering from such conditions as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and physical injuries, Boulder Crest Retreat, which provides free accommodations to military and veteran personnel and their families, has instituted a therapy program that includes gardening, art, music, meditation, yoga, equine therapy, archery and kayaking.

Horticultural therapy, which was reported in the journal Psychiatry Investigation to help reduce pain, improve attention, reduce stress and agitation, and lower the usage of medications, is one of the complementary alternative therapies that is being used to help combat veterans suffering from such conditions as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and physical injuries.

At Boulder Crest Retreat, a rural sanctuary that provides free accommodations, recreational and therapeutic activities and programs to military and veteran personnel and their families, their guests engage in gardening exercises as part of their stays.

"Most combat veterans don't think about gardening as a tool to help them heal, yet it does a lot to help the mindset," explains Ken Falke, chairman and founder of Boulder Crest Retreat. "Horticulture therapy has a prominent place in our programs because we know that it helps and it's something that our guests can take home with them to continue their healing process."

The retreat, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bluemont, Va., just 50 miles west of Washington, D.C., offers combat veterans and their families the opportunity to stay for two to seven nights at the 37-acre. Besides gardening, others therapies include art, music, meditation, yoga, equine therapy, archery and kayaking.

"When we created our program we considered a lot of different modalities," added Falke. "Adding gardening in our beautiful rural outdoor setting just made sense. It slows people down, gives them something to tend to, and provides many benefits that we all need."

The Retreat welcomes combat-veterans who are active-duty, reserve and National Guard, veterans, family members and caregivers, and Gold Star Families. Boulder Crest Retreat is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that is funded entirely by private donations by individuals and organizations from around the country. For more information about the retreat, please go to www.bouldercrestretreat.org.