Fishing therapy for our finest
Veterans get chance to relax going after bass
DANIA BEACH— Capt. Neal Stark wanted to do something for veterans, and he thought they might enjoy a bass fishing trip in the Everglades.
More than a pleasant day on the water, those free fishing trips have had a powerful, positive effect on the military men and women Stark has taken out in his bass boat.
“Fishing is the best,” said Stark, of Davie. “They’ve actually named this fishing, it’s piscatorial therapy. Fishing therapy.
“We’ve done research. Your brain releases a chemical that actually puts you at ease and relaxes you while you’re fishing.”
Stark created Fishing with America’s Finest (fishingwithamericasfinest.org) nine years ago. He said the non-profit organization, which relies on donations, all of which benefit veterans (there are no salaries), takes an average of 150 vets fishing each year.
“When I started this, I had no idea itwould reach this level,” Stark said. “It’s turned out to be an amazing form of therapy.
“Most folks think just because awar’s over, it just ends. For our veterans, the wars never end. They still see the images. They’re still fighting thewar, even though they’re home.
“Fishing really gets them to relax and to forget about all their troubles and things they’ve experienced and lets them unwind.”
This past Wednesday, Stark had a special event at Bass Pro Shops for veterans fromthe Miami VA Hospital. More than 30 patients fished for largemouth and peacock bass in the pond between the store’s Islamorada Fish Company restaurant and the International Game Fish Association.
Somewere experienced fishermen, otherswere fishing for the first time. Volunteers from local bass clubs helped the veterans rig their rods, bait their hooks, unhook fish and untangle lines.
“There’s medical and there’s mental health, but sometimes it’s nice to be able to take it outside of the hospital and showthat there’s a lot of recovery that can happen in the real world,” said Masha Andreoni, a mental health socialworker at the Miami VA. “We try to do this when we can for our veterans.”
Another benefit is the camaraderie the veterans share with each other. One of the biggest issues facing combat veterans is not having anyone who can relate to what they’ve been through or issues they are dealing with.
“If you just look around, you see everybody helping one another,” Andreoni said. “Everybody’s got somebody watching out for them.”
“Thank God for the VA,” said Jake, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from post traumatic stress. “Without the VA, we’d have nothing to do. The VA helps us find ourselves and tells us we can live our lives theway we used to.”
Jake did not fish, but he was a presence at Wednesday’s activities, going up and down the shoreline to watch and chat with his buddies.
And although the palm fronds rustling in the wind and the thatched roof on a hut-like structure caused some haunting memories to flash through his mind, he enjoyed the experience.
“I’m glad I came,” he said, “because it takes your mind off your problems.”
Donna Cox, a licensed practical nurse at the VA for the past 7½ years, fished for the first time Wednesday and marveled at howthe vets she works with in the hospital enjoyed the event.
“This is very good therapy,” Cox said. “It helps them to connect with others.”
Bass Pro Shops has worked with Stark, who has brought veterans from all over Florida to fish at the store, since Fishing with America’s Finest started.
“Anything to do with the armed forces, Bass Pro Shops tries to support as much aswe can,” said Vince Getz, the store’s promotions director. “What Neal does is really special, sowe do all we can to help him. … It’s nice to give back.”
Fishing with America’s Finest provided spinning rods and reels, live bait, drinks and pizza for lunch. The event concluded with a drawing for Bass Pro Tshirts, lures and fishing rods and reels.
“I think it’s a wonderful program,” said volunteer Josh Roller of Boca Raton. “It gives back to people who have given so much to this country. I’m very proud to help Neal and be a part of it.”