We have been working with the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation for more than a decade, documenting the healing attributes of intentionally designed therapeutic hunting outings.
A number of related research projects have been conducted in partnership with WWIA and its founder John McDaniel.
- Study on importance of wild fish and game procurement, processing, preparation, and presentation to overall veteran participant satisfaction in intentionally designed therapeutic hunting outings. See: Tidball & Tidball 2022. Linking Food Motivations with Therapeutic Outdoor Recreation Outings for Veterans, Journal of Veterans Studies, 8(3), 59–69. DOI: http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v8i3.339.
- Study of attitudes and motivations regarding participation in hunting as recreation and as therapy. See:
Tidball 2014. Hunting and the Return of the Warrior: Therapeutic Possibilities for the Chase. In book: This Land Is Your Land: Toward a Better Understanding of Nature’s Resiliency-Building and Restorative Power for Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, and their Families. Publisher: Sagamore Publishing. Editors: Daniel Dustin.
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Study based on over 50 semi-structured interviews conducted via participant-observation with combat-wounded Purple Heart medal recipients in the field hunting and angling. See The Chase as Therapy: Benefits of Hunting Programs as Reported by Veteran Participants.
- Theoretical synthesis on why hunting, in particular, is therapeutic and promotes multiple individual and social benefits. See Tidball 2021. Ancient medicine and the Sacred Hunting Hoop: Intentionally Designed Therapeutic Hunting Experiences for Returning Warriors. In book: Outdoor Recreation and Our Military Family: Pathways to Recovery . Publisher: Sagamore Publishing. Editors: Daniel Dustin, kelly Bricker, Deborah Tysor, and Matthew Brownlee.