CARMEL – The news was positive when dozens of veterans gathered at the Putnam VFW Hall in Carmel to hear from State Senator Peter Harckham, as well as veterans’ advocates who discussed legislation to support veterans and funding initiatives contained in the recently adopted New York State budget.
Harckham, whose district encompasses sections of Putnam, Northern Westchester, and Rockland counties, called it important to hear veterans’ perspectives as “we continue collaborating with our veterans to find solutions that will benefit our communities and help ensure veterans receive the benefits they have earned with their courage and sacrifice.”
Joining Harckham at the forum were Joshua Gaccione, the director of the Westchester County Veterans Affairs Agency; Karl Rohde, director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency; Megan Castellano, Program Director of the Dwyer Vet2Vet program in Putnam County; and Laurie Ciavardini, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Veterans Programs at Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship in Mount Kisco.
Harckham provided an update on important investments benefiting veterans, in the budget including funding for the state’s Department of Veterans’ Services which was increased $3.7 million to $17.3 million; $8 million for Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet Peer Services Program, $405,000 for Legal Services of the Hudson Valley’s Veterans and Military Families Advocacy Project and $325,000 for Clear Path for Veterans, which offers wellness programs, career support and service dog training.
Rohde emphasized that veterans should get a service officer to assist them with VA claims regarding healthcare and benefits while Castellano noted that Dwyer Vet2Vet Peer Services Program is designed to help veterans meet with other veterans in a secure, comfortable atmosphere to help each other cope with issues connected to their military service.
Gaccione encouraged all veterans who do not have a veterans’ council in their local municipality to reach out to their local elected officials to create one.
During her remarks, Ciavardini, a Certified Military Counselor with over 30 years of experience in the mental health field, noted that 345 veterans participated in the programming at Endeavor last year, and their visits included sessions in which they could groom and lead the horses. She added that equine therapy is a popular model for veterans, some of whom may be apt to less talking and socializing than other people.
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