Veterans Garden

In war there are no unwounded soldiers  – Jose Narosky

The Veterans Garden came to life in 1999 when four Vietnam veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) participated in a program that DRC designed for them. This program, which included group sessions, work projects and, of course, time spent interacting with dolphins, would form the basis for many additional military programs in the future.

Dolphin Research Center’s Co-Founder and COO Armando ‘Mandy’ Rodriguez served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam in the 1960s. This project was very close to his heart and he participated along with this group.

Even after his tour of duty had finished, the impact of his service had stayed with him and he returned to civilian life burdened with PTSD. Mandy freely states that working with dolphins, experiencing their unconditional acceptance and forming deep bonds of friendship and trust with them, saved his life.

From the time that Mandy and Jayne founded DRC, they dreamed of developing programs for other veterans who were also afflicted with the internal and external scars of war.

Under Mandy’s nurturing eye, the garden continues to flourish. Military veterans have continued to add to the garden over the years. 

Guests may visit this area of tranquility to purely enjoy its beauty, to reflect on friends and family who have served, or to seek solace in this place of healing.