Hugs for Veterans Continues Its Journey to VA Facilities - Oklahoma City VA Health Care System
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Hugs for Veterans Continues Its Journey to VA Facilities

February 13, 2017

Hugs for Veterans Continues Its Journey to VA Facilities

Thanks to Human Hug Project (#hugavet) Created by OEF/OIF Veterans

 WASHINGTON -- What would you think if upon opening the doors of your VA facility, there were Veterans and staff there to greet you with a hug? That’s the vision Ian Michael, a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Gino Greganti, a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom are hoping to accomplish with their Human Hug Project. They know the anxiety and isolation faced by combat Veterans who return home from war as they have felt it deeply through their personal perspectives. Additionally, as a Marine Corps spouse Erin, Greganti’s wife, also experienced war and its aftermath at home. Individually, they are three people with different lives, but together they are three faces of PTSD who created the Human Hug Project to help them cope.

Through the Human Hug Project this trio hopes to travel the country and give away free hugs to Veterans through #hugavet events at VA facilities nationwide   To date, the Human Hug Project has visited more than 45 VA Medical Centers where Veterans and staff welcome them with open arms.

Understanding the human touch is a critical component to overall health and wellness, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) embraces the opportunity to partner with the Human Hug Project.

“There is a significant amount of research demonstrating that feeling connected to others --particularly through restoring the ritual of physical touch-- promotes a greater sense of trust, well-being, reduces stress and has a positive influence on general health.” says Dr. Raya Elfadel Kheirbek, Internist and Palliative Care Physician at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center.

“Our hugs are simple reminders that our heroes are appreciated and loved” says Ian Michael.

You can join in the #hugavet project at your local facility:

  • Date: Monday, February 13, 2017
  • Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Place: Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, 921 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City
  • VA POC: Stacy Rine, Public Affairs Officer, stacy.rine@va.gov

 For more information about Human Hug Project visit:

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