Dorn VAMC Whole Health Garden Opens New Path to Wellness for Veterans
By Wyatt Anthony, Public Affairs Specialist
The Columbia VA Health Care System opened its new Whole Health Garden November 20, offering Veterans a therapeutic space designed to support connection, community, and healthier living.
The project, led by Whole Health Recreation Therapist Kinsey Silvers, grew from a simple idea: create a place where Veterans could “get their hands dirty” and experience the proven health benefits of gardening.
The inspiration came from Silvers work helping Veterans find meaningful activities that improve their overall well-being. “Gardening has evidence-based benefits, and I wanted our Veterans to have access to those benefits,” Silvers said. When she shared the concept with Christopher Zell, Columbia VAHCS chief of engineering, he supported it immediately. Planning meetings followed, and the project quickly gained momentum.
“This project started out with a simple question: Is there anywhere on campus that we can develop into a garden for Veterans of all abilities to use? Our staff quickly identified a space that we wanted to improve, provided easy access, and had utilities nearby,” said Zell. “I was extremely proud of how our M&O Manager and Construction Shop took a simple drawing and infused their own ideas into the construction. They worked with Whole Health to ensure they were constructing an area that all Veterans would be able to access. Other shops and Engineering staff jumped in to assist with the electrical and plumbing based on their expertise of the existing utilities. Finally, Whole Health and the Construction Shop collaborated to finish the space with fencing, trees, sheds and pergolas.”
The garden aligned closely with the VA’s Whole Health approach, which emphasizes living healthier, more purposeful lives. “The garden’s main purpose is to provide a place for Veterans to learn about and experience the benefits of gardening,” Silvers said. “Gardening is linked to improved mood, heart health, stress reduction, and increased longevity. Promoting healthy living is what Whole Health is all about.”
Throughout the development process, the engineering and grounds teams played a critical role. Silvers described their work as exceptional, citing their teamwork, dedication and efficiency—despite the summer heat.
“Engineering is always looking for opportunities to develop underutilized green spaces. The opportunity to work with Whole Health to develop an area specifically for Veterans made this a meaningful project for our staff,” said Zell. “Gardening is a proven therapy technique with positive health impacts. This garden provides a space that Veterans can actively use and improve throughout their healthcare journey.”
As the garden took shape, so did the vision for Veteran engagement. The space now hosts six-week therapeutic gardening classes through Whole Health, weekly sessions with the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center, and a soon-to-launch monthly garden club. Additional workshops and special events are also planned.
Veteran reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone has been so excited about the garden,” Silvers said. “Veterans in my classes have given great feedback and asked for more programming after their six-week class ends.”
Silvers said she hoped the garden would continue to foster connection while producing vegetables and flowers for Veterans to enjoy. Future plans may include cooking classes to teach Veterans how to use the fresh produce they grow.
The personal reward of watching the project blossom has exceeded her expectations. “I have been blown away by the Veteran engagement,” Silvers said. “Each week, Veterans stay after class to put in hard work. The camaraderie that has developed has been so rewarding. Seeing a small idea grow into this beautiful space—and watching the vegetables flourish—has been incredible.”
Silvers message to the VA community was simple: “Please come join us in the garden. It’s so fun to get your hands dirty and learn together.”
For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.