By Nate Dion
For Gil, a Vietnam veteran who served in the army, life was something to be controlled. His training and time spent in the military ingrained in him the need to be alert and ready for anything at any time. In the military that’s a good thing, but in civilian life, living on edge leads to constant struggles with family, friends, and everyone else around you. But Gil found that his family was also suffering- from his compulsive need to be in control 24/7.
That’s when one of his counselors recommended the Healing Warriors Program. And that connection marked the beginning of a transformation for Gil. He tried all the modalities offered at Healing Warriors, and found a new sense of peace.
In his own words, “Before, I was always alert. Always on edge. It was like I had to make sure I did everything a certain way. If I didn’t, I felt disappointed, like I let someone down. Now, I don’t feel that edginess. It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world. I feel safe right now in my environment.”
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Healing Warriors, a nonprofit organization, has been around since 2012. While it started as a group of practitioners who came together in response to the opioid crisis, it has since evolved into a comprehensive suicide prevention program that addresses the key factors contributing to veteran despair and hopelessness.
Their office in Fort Collins has become a place of community and friendship. Wendy Miller, a former nurse, and the Executive Director, said, “I’ve always worked in places where I have to decrease everybody’s anxiety. And here, it’s just such a joyous healing space. Nobody comes in mad. Everybody’s just so grateful to be here.”
But the difference in atmosphere is not the only thing that excites Wendy. What she loves most is seeing the transformations in the lives of the people Healing Warriors serves. She said that “across all of our modalities, we look at pain, emotional discomfort, and anxiety at every single visit, and on average, we see a 54% reduction in symptoms.”
So, how do they do it?
DELIVERING RELIEF
Healing Warriors offers four healing modalities, each designed to address both physical and emotional well-being.
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Acupuncture works with the body’s meridians to relieve physical pain, reduce stress, and restore balance, with applications even used in combat settings.
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Cranial Sacral Therapy focuses on the body’s craniosacral system, helping to improve spinal fluid flow, and providing relief for traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain, and stress-related
disorders.
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Healing Touch addresses the human biofield, clearing energetic blockages and promoting deep relaxation, emotional release, and overall well-being
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (their newest modality) incorporates meditation, gentle movement, and breathwork to help veterans manage stress, anxiety, and trauma—even from the comfort of their home.
Through these four modalities, Healing Warriors provides a lifeline for veterans seeking relief – and they do it at no cost. Veterans are eligible to try each six or seven week treatment series free every year, which means they can receive between 21 and 27 sessions, ensuring consistent care and real progress. Rather than a quick fix, Healing Warriors focuses on long-term transformation, helping veterans not just manage their pain, but reclaim their lives.
LIVES TRANSFORMED
Another great example of the transformation that’s possible through the program can be seen in Nate Kraft. When Nate, an Army veteran, found himself homeless and addicted to alcohol, the program at Healing Warriors helped him break his bad habits and set his life back on track. He then joined Healing Warriors to give back, and to help his brothers and sisters in arms. As he said, “We do a lot more than offer veterans our four modalities. That’s the meat and potatoes of this place but, I mean, we help homeless veterans get housing, we connect them to social groups, hiking, fishing, all kinds of things. The list just goes on.”
And while Healing Warriors Program served over 800 patients last year alone, they aren’t content to keep serving only their community in Fort Collins. This year they opened two clinics in Aurora and Colorado Springs to serve veterans in these communities as well, with the hope of expanding the services to provide full-time care, like the Fort Collins branch. And, in the future, they are hoping to begin offering their services to first responders.
As Wendy said, “There’s no harm in trying something that doesn’t cost them any money and can’t hurt them. All it can do is help. Either nothing’s going to happen, or you’re going to have that transformative experience.”
Either way, the Healing Warriors Program offers an opportunity for veterans suffering from physical pain and emotional struggles. You’ll never know what might change, if you don’t give their programs a chance to help you.
To learn more about healing touch and acupuncture, explore past Veterans Life Magazine articles written by Healing Warriors practitioners. “Healing Touch” (July/August 2024) delves into healing touch therapy and its benefits. “The Power of Acupuncture in Veterans’ Recovery” (February/March 2025) examines the administration of acupuncture, its healing properties, and impact. Find these past issues at veteranslifemagazine.com.
For more information, or to learn more about the full range of healing modalities offered by the Healing Warriors Program, call 970-776-8387, or visit their website at healingwarriorsprogram.org. The program offers weekly and/or monthly Pop-up Clinics in Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs. You can find dates and times on their website.