Off the couch and into the wild: How veterans are healing in the backwoods

What began as a Minnesota-based initiative to support veterans through outdoor recreation has now grown into a multi-state effort helping thousands of military and emergency service personnel reconnect, decompress, and heal.

Hometown Heroes Outdoors, co-founded by military veteran and law enforcement officer Chris Tetault, offers outdoor adventures for veterans, active service members, and first responders—including law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. The organization now operates in 28 states and annually serves between 500 and 800 veterans in Minnesota alone.

The group’s mission is simple but powerful: to use the outdoors as a setting for mental health support. By organizing hunting trips, fishing outings, and a wide variety of other recreational events, Hometown Heroes Outdoors provides participants with opportunities to step away from everyday stressors and connect with others who’ve faced similar challenges.

“The goal is to get people off the couch, into the outdoors, and help them build camaraderie with people who share their background,” Tetault said. “That connection can be critical for mental health.”

The group’s activities go well beyond hunting and fishing. Participants have taken part in dog sledding, hot air balloon rides, ATV excursions, and even unique experiences such as deep-sea fishing with the crew of Wicked Tuna on the East Coast or alligator hunting in Florida. A partnership with a 17,000-acre Texas property, the Harris Ranch, has also provided opportunities for larger-scale outdoor adventures.

The program doesn’t involve structured therapy sessions. Instead, the organization fosters natural conversations in relaxed environments. According to Tetault, simply being in nature with others who understand your experiences can open the door to meaningful discussions and emotional release.

“We saw a need to bring people together across these professions—military and first responder—and help them support each other,” he said. “When you’re outside with people who get it, those walls come down, and people begin to open up.”

As the organization continues to expand, it remains committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for healing through the power of the outdoors—one adventure at a time.