Military Veteran Patient Support - Santa Barbara

Through We Honor Veterans, VNA Health offers a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer program where trained hospice volunteers, who are also Veterans, are matched with patients who are Veterans.

The Vet-to-Vet Volunteer connection is a special bond between two individuals who know firsthand the impact of serving our country. Veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with each patient thereby creating an environment where life review and healing may occur.

Veteran volunteer activities may include respite care, companionship care, and taking part in a pinning ceremony. If you are a Veteran or are actively serving you can become a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer.

VETERAN PINNING CEREMONY

A Veteran Pinning Ceremony is an optional benefit for Veteran patients on VNA Health hospice care. It provides an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by the Veteran and his/her family. The ceremony gives the Veteran a chance to share part of his/ her story. By doing so, a sense of meaning and purpose can be gained by the Veteran.

The ceremony is relatively brief and can be done at the bedside or in another location on a date and time arranged with the Veteran and family. During the ceremony, a personalized certificate and American flag pin are presented by one of our Vet-to-Vet Volunteers. If the Veteran or family prefers to just receive the certificate and pin without a ceremony, this is an available option.