Stories | VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care

Veterans from all walks of life flood into the “Express Yourself” dance class in the heart of the VA’s West Los Angeles Medical Center.

With increased housing costs, rising inflation and the end of eviction moratoriums, many regions across California are experiencing increases in homelessness, both among Veterans and the general population.

The sounds of Veterans slapping bongo skins fill the air, creating a rhythm that echoes through the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus near the Integrative Health and Wellness Center.

Some kids want to be doctors. Some want to be lawyers. When Bryan Aguirre was 5 years old, he wanted to be a Marine.

While walking through new apartments for homeless senior Veterans in Building 207 on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus, one can see the many features which have solicited praise from those who live in them.

On any given day at the bustling Domiciliary (DOM) on the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus, Veterans stroll between the entrances of the DOM’s two buildings. They chat amongst themselves, rest on benches in the grassy courtyard or head to their daily classes.

Air Force Veteran Oscar Benn works in the on-site computer lab at the West LA VA Domiciliary (DOM) during his free time. The DOM curriculum includes classes and other activities and outings designed to help Veterans overcome mental health and substance use issues.

Every day, registered nurse and Marine Corps Veteran David Shay sees the realities of homelessness firsthand. His patients are the most vulnerable of Veterans and have often experienced extreme trauma through their time in the military or from their life on the streets.

Screening for breast cancer can be scary, and it’s okay to be afraid. Waiting on results can be especially frightening.

Sarah Viboolkitvorakul (left), mammography technologist and Dr. Stephanie Lee-Felker (middle), dedicated breast imaging radiologist, at a breast cancer awareness event with the women’s health team at the West LA VA campus. Candice Williams (right), mammography technologist, reviews images before forwarding to the radiologist for diagnosis.

A howl echoes through the air at Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC) as a group of Veterans gathers around the enclosure of a wolf who’s been rescued from troublesome circumstances.

(Left) Marine Corps Veteran Jared “Red” Velasco meets a rescued horse at the Lockwood Animal Rescue Center (LARC), a sanctuary where Veterans can interact with enclosed wolves, horses, raccoons, coyotes and more as part of their Recreation Therapy. (Right) Wolfdog Huey is another rescue that lives at the LARC and engages with Veteran visitors.

Veterans and Veterans Administration employees came together for fun and exercise in the 13th annual National VA2K Walk & Roll at the Wadsworth theater on the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System campus, on May 17 at approximately 11:30 a.m.