Growing What Sustains Us

Not all recovery happens in a clinic.

For many women who have worked in roles of service—veterans, first responders, and those who support them—healing can begin in quieter places. A garden. A shared task. Time spent with animals. Spaces where the nervous system can settle, and where participation replaces pressure.

Peer-reviewed research supports what many already feel: horticultural therapy can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, improve mood, and strengthen social connection. Working with plants offers structure without urgency and visible progress in a world where progress can otherwise feel hard to measure.

Animal-assisted therapy adds another layer. Studies show that interactions with animals—particularly horses and dogs—can reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and create a sense of safety through nonjudgmental connection. These relationships don’t require explanation. They respond to presence.

Turning to Nature for Support

For women in service and support roles, this matters. Their experiences are often complex and layered, and traditional supports don’t always reflect that. Nature-based programs offer a complementary path—one that is non-clinical, community-oriented, and grounded in lived experience.

At There She Grows Healing Garden, this approach comes together in a simple way: growing food, sharing space, moving gently, and reconnecting—with nature, with others, and with self.

Because care should not only be something we give. It should also be something we receive.

The Unique Challenges Faced by Women Veterans

Women veterans often face distinct challenges that impact their mental and emotional health. These may include:

• Transitioning to Civilian Life: Adjusting to life after military service can be difficult, especially for women, and can lead to feeling isolated and misunderstood.

• Mental Health Issues: Many women who serve, protect and support experience PTSD, anxiety or depression.

• Physical Health Concerns: Women veterans face unique health issues, including those related to reproductive health and chronic pain.

• Social Stigma: There can be societal misconceptions about women in the military, leading to feelings of alienation.

  
  

How There She Grows Helps Clients

A healing garden offers a range of benefits that can address the specific needs of women who have served.

Promoting Mental Health

Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Healing gardens provide a peaceful environment where women veterans can unwind and reflect. Activities such as gardening, meditation or simply enjoying the scenery can foster a sense of calm and clarity.

Encouraging Physical Activity

Gardening is a form of physical exercise that can improve overall health. Women veterans can engage in light to moderate physical activity while tending to the garden, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Fostering Community Connections

Healing gardens can serve as gathering places for women veterans and other serving members, creating opportunities for social interaction and support. Group activities, workshops, and events can help build a sense of community and belonging.

Providing a Space for Reflection

The serene environment of a healing garden encourages introspection and mindfulness. Women veterans can use this space to process their experiences, reflect on their journeys, and find peace.

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Healing gardens are powerful tools for empowering women veterans. By providing a space for healing, reflection and community connection, these gardens can help address the unique challenges faced by women who have devoted their lives to service.

Whether through existing programs or new initiatives, the creation of healing gardens can foster resilience and well-being among women veterans.

As we continue to support our veterans, let us recognize the importance of nature in the healing process and work together to create spaces that nurture their growth and recovery.

If you are inspired to make a difference, consider advocating for or starting a healing garden in your community. Together, we can cultivate hope and healing for those who serve.