In The News

Simpkins said she is excited for the future. “We have programs planned to start in September, so we’d like to have some ADA accommodations for those disabled veterans to be able to comfortably be here as well as making some other accommodation to the property for our programs,” she said. ”But it’s basically perfectly set up for what we need.”

Coverage of alternative therapies and brain-based healing (non-clinical mental health).

Major award for state-of-the-art veteran healing center for OWR.

National story on OWR retreat impact, family therapy, and veteran wellness.

Shay is a true miracle. Rescued with half his body decomposed, he is a double amputee with a prosthetic on the front so he can walk. Shay was adopted in the Middle East and brought back to the US to be a therapy cat for veterans with disabilities (who also became disabled in the Middle East due to combat). He’s a true testament of resilience to show those going through challenges, or who have disabilities, that they can get through anything, adapt and thrive in life!

Local radio/news report on OWR elephant yoga event and trauma healing for veterans.

Phillip Mockler, director of community engagement with Operation Warrior Resolution, has worked closely with Lakewood Ranch resident Phil Orapallo to create the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit veterans.

TV/local news about OWR’s disaster after storm, recovery, and ongoing services.

Kendra Simpkins knows first-hand the confusion, darkness and pain arising from military trauma. As a former Army Intelligence Analyst she also struggled to find adequate care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA) after being honorably discharged with a service-connected injury.

Operation Warrior Resolution, a nonprofit dedicated to providing holistic care to veterans, recently received a $23,300 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County through the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund to support veterans and their family members affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Coverage of Barancik Foundation’s grant to expand OWR mental health services for local veterans.

$110,000 capacity-building grant benefiting OWR and other nonprofits.

Story about OWR’s impact on veterans and families during Memorial Day.

Recently, about 40 men and women brought their yoga mats to Myakka Elephant Ranch for a chance to exercise and spend time with some of the largest, most powerful and majestic animals on earth.

Feature on foundation grant, holistic mental health, and OWR family healing.

Announcement of grant supporting holistic mental health programming for veterans.

Announcement of State Farm grant funding full retreat for local veterans.

As memories of America’s involvement in the Middle East begin to fade, many of the nation’s veterans continue to face mental health challenges related to their service, but Operation Warrior Resolution is offering innovative therapy approaches to heal trauma, including introducing these heroes to trained therapy horses, made possible by a $2,500 grant from State Farm.

“Sometimes their experience is related to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), but other times it’s connected to past trauma or a more current traumatic incident,” says Simpkins, 37, who graduated USFSM with a psychology degree in 2014. “Regardless, I want them to know that there’s help for them.”

On May 23, Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR), supported military service members with an evening of yoga on the stage of the Sarasota Opera House. The fundraising event was led by Lululemon Ambassador, Ashley Stewart from the Yoga Shack. All proceeds from the gathering will support OWR’s mission of providing immediate and effective mental health care at no cost for all U.S. military veterans and family member, along with healing retreats which offers veterans a four-day experience holistically alleviating PTSD and chronic pain.

Feature on OWR’s holistic retreats, therapy, and local veteran impact.