Healing America’s Heroes Has New Home; Winter Programs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on January 7, 2025
- 8:36 am

CEO Eddie Crain with his favorite horse Cowboy. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

Eddie Crain is the Founder and CEO of Healing America’s Heroes (HAH), founded in 2014 in Northern New Mexico. They started in the Chama, Tierra Amarilla area, and conducted summer programs there through 2021. They have networked with Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) in Los Alamos in the past to spread the word to local Veterans about free, available services.

HAH made a big move in 2021 to Fort Stanton, N.M. The change has allowed them to expand their services like never before. They not only work to have programs for Veteran’s, but now offer many programs to First Responders. Their programs often have free opportunities that allow spouses to attend.

Healing America’s Heroes feels they now have a home that allows them to grow.

“Because of our new home we are able to extend our services year around,” Crain said. “Our first winter event is going to be a great event just like all of the others.”

Their new year begins Jan. 13, with a Women Veterans Winter Therapy program. The program already has 14 women veterans signed up and hopes to continually offer a variety of different opportunities in 2025.

The first program includes piano, guitar, fly-tying (for fly fishing and crafts.

“HAH is excited about this program because this will be the first winter program ever,” Crain said. “We would have to shut down for the winter because of weather and having no facility. Now we have a new home with room for our veterans and first responders.”

Healing America’s Heroes in a 501c-3 non-profit organization, which receives funding from grants, fundraisers and donations. When they formed in 2014, they decided there would be no cost to veterans or first responders, because they feel the veterans and first responders have already paid the price.

Sure, someone might be nervous when they first arrive at the facility, in fact Crain believes it is a guarantee. The team will slowly introduce each participant to therapy horses, saddles, bridles and provide you a chance to get on a beautiful animal bareback for the first time to start balancing with balancing your life.

You can also find balance without the nerves with a fly fishing and fly-tying program.

“You will learn to balance your life by learning the art of fly fishing and the excitement of tying your first fly to catch your first fish. Crain says for many these may be the first steps to addressing balancing in life, especially for those who suffer from PTSD.

The program takes 10 participants at a time, five in the fly fishing program and five in the horse program. The smaller numbers allow for more of a one-on-one experience, especially for first timers. The horse therapy experience introduces students to these big gentle giants, so they slowly learn how to handle their new friends in different situations.

Learning to tie flies to catch your fish takes concentration with good direction from the instructor. Students have a chance to tie at least five flies on their own. The instructor provides directions and illustrates the proper way to assemble the fly rod. Once classroom instruction moves to the outdoors, the art of proper casting techniques gets underway.

Their winter programs can include snow shoeing or nature walks along the Bonita River. The HAH experience includes all therapy programs and sleeping accommodations. Don’t forget the three hot meals a day provided by Chef Bernie to keep you hydrated, nourished and ready to go.

Their goal for HAH in 2025 is to have 250 Veterans and First Responders come through their programs. The group is working to include couples and networking with a variety of organizations throughout the United States to spread the word.

Healing America’s heroes welcomes all veterans and first responders to check out their website at www.healingamericasheroes.org to their upcoming events for the year. They also hope you’ll check back during the year to see when new opportunities arise. They are located at 250 Black Jack Pershing Road, Fort Stanton, NM 88323.