I am a OIF/OEF veteran that's been struggling with both PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Ever since my return from Iraq; nothing about my life has been the same. After many years of hoping the issues would go away with time; I finally sought help from the VA. Many of the treatments offered involved medications that to me; had and created their own problems. I later found out about "Recreational Therapy" program offered by the VA and that is how I ended up at The Island Dolphin Care facility. From the onset before we ever got in the water; Kimberly and the entire staff went to great lengths to make us comfortable and at ease. Their attention to detail ensuring our comfort and safety was beyond anything I had experience at facilities such as these.
As for our swim with the Dolphins; well as one of my fellow Veterans and friend stated; "I have never seen a smile like that on your face". I have the pictures to prove it!
The experience was such that; for that moment in time, all the nightmares, trauma, pain and sense of low self worth just vanished. The interaction program with the Dolphins took care of that. After my first visit, I have since been back with my family; and they cannot say enough about the wonderful experience they had. It has brought us a step closer as a family and renewed our hopes for a better tomorrow.

Chief William Armstrong
OIF/OEF Veteran