ATLANTA — From diving into the deep blue to swimming at the top of one of the world’s largest indoor tanks, for the past 15 years, the Veterans Immersion Program at the Georgia Aquarium has been giving people the chance to experience aqua therapy on a much larger scale, while coming face to face with the world’s largest creatures.
On Dec. 20, a group of alumni and veterans currently in the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program got to participate in a gentle giant swim as part of the Veterans Immersion Program at the Georgia Aquarium. They came from all over just to have giant whale sharks, and manta rays, within foots reach.
Shortly after the Georgia Aquarium first opened in 2005, the Veterans Immersion Program was founded in 2008 and has been changing lives ever since.
The Outreach Coordinator for Emory's Veterans Program, Jeff Canterbury, said although this is not for everyone, it can be very relaxing.
“I have in my four years doing this with the veterans, I've never seen someone that says this was horrible. I never want to do this again. They never say that," Canterbury remarked. "They always say, wow, this was so I'm glad I got a chance to do this.”
Jason Bush, a former marine and now manager of the aquarium's Military Salute Program, which oversees the Immersion Program, agrees, adding, “To be immersed in the water, both on top and under the water, it takes away a lot of the, you know, the visual and audio hustle and bustle of everyday life and just focus on being in the moment. Something that many of us have learned through years of therapy.”
The swim only lasts 30 to 40 minutes, but for some, it can be life-changing, like it was one paraplegic diver whom Bush met through the program.
"He said that the program really just changed his outlook on life and made him feel as a paraplegic that he isn't so confined,” Bush recalled.
Opportunities to participate are becoming more available through Emory’s Veterans Program.
Right now, Canterbury said Emory is looking at 10 opportunities for next year and it's completely free to the local and out-of-state veterans. Emory will even cover their cost of lodging, flights, and treatment, which can include the gentle giant swim. As long as they are in the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program. Canterbury added that in the past, people have come to Atlanta from Japan and even Germany to participate.
Although Veterans cannot apply by themselves to participate, different veteran service organizations like Wounded Warriors and the Shepherd Center in Atlanta can apply through the aquarium to give a group of up to eight veterans the chance to participate.
Here is the link where those organizations can apply: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/booking/veterans-immersion-program/
If you’re a Veteran and are interested in treatments like this, you can learn more about the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program here: https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/veterans-program.
Their website notes the program is only eligible for post-9/11 Veterans and asks that you call the number on the page to request an appointment and start the screening process for the program.
Emory also offers other treatment options like art therapy, yoga, music therapy, special sessions, and so much more under their Veterans Program.
The gentle giant swims, like the one featured in this article, will resume in the new year and happen on Wednesdays.
You can learn more about the Veterans Immersion Program here on the Aquarium’s website: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/veterans-immersion-program/
You can learn more about the Military Salute Program and other ways veterans are honored at the Georgia Aquarium here: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/military-salute/.