“It’s a stress reliever.”Veteran1
“It causes an actual relaxation in the inner soul because you have Wind Therapy.” Veteran2
Those heartfelt statements by veterans participating in a motorcycle wind therapy study convey the healing ability of programs that engage and encourage veterans, first responders, and their families to take to a motorcycle and experience the magic of riding.
And for Navy veteran Dallas Yblood, managing the motorcycle Wind Therapy Program for the One Tribe Foundation is a mission of compassion, understanding, and healing. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of fellow vets, first responders, and their families. It’s also part of his own healing journey.
“I became involved in Wind Therapy because of my wife Jodie, who was running the program when I met her,” Yblood said. “I was riding and doing Wind Therapy on my own without actually calling it that, and when I became aware of the program, I started volunteering. Eventually, the position became available, and I was able to get the chance to run it.”
Wife Jodie Yblood, who has helped run the Wind Therapy program for One Tribe, is working on her Masters in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, and contributed as part of the research team that studied the effects of wind therapy on participants. Those experiences, shared above, give keen insight into how these types of programs affect those who use a motorcycle to heal trauma.
Study Demonstrates Positive Effects of Wind Therapy
The study, Healing on a hog: Wind therapy project report was published in 2022 and “describes characteristics of Veteran wind therapy participants and identify the benefits and barriers to participation in wind therapy during the COVID pandemic.” Dallas Yblood said wind therapy allows those impacted by trauma to use a different modality to heal. The very act of joining others who enjoy motorcycles can be therapeutic, Yblood said.
“We recognize that not every person is ready or comfortable doing individual talk therapy,” Yblood said. “The Idea of this program is to target those who aren’t interested in, or are not ready for talk therapy, by incorporating them into a group setting with like-minded individuals, who come together and share a mutual love of motorcycles.”
Yblood said the main benefits of wind therapy are the restoration of camaraderie, a way to combat isolation, and just the joy of being part of a group and the sharing of a mutual love of riding and motorcycle-related events. “All of these things together help combat suicide, depression, and isolation,” he said.
One Tribe Foundation Begins Wind Therapy Program to Heal Trauma
Since 2018, the Wind Therapy Program has been part of the services One Tribe Foundation offers to vets, first responders and their families. In addition to rides, the multi-phase program includes offering the Learn2Ride Academy for new riders, retreats, rallies, and events like the Dec. 9 ride to Big B’s Leather for a holiday gathering to benefit underserved children in the area.
There is no cost to participate in the One Tribe Foundation’s Wind Therapy Program, Yblood said, which allows riders, and those new to riding, to take the basic new rider course. This is one of his most highly-regarded opportunities offered through the One Tribe program – being able to light a spark in a new rider and expose them to the joys, and healing power, of riding, at no cost to them.
“One of my favorite parts of the program is that we are able to offer the basic new rider course, where individuals obtain their motorcycle endorsement, at no cost to them,” Yblood said. “Some outside events that we attend have other costs associated with them, but in general, the program has no cost.”
Benefits of Wind Therapy Changes Lives
The benefits of the One Tribe Foundation’s Wind Therapy Program cannot be understated. Here are more comments from participants in the University of Texas at Arlington study.
“Things feel a little better. You have an opportunity to put some things into perspective. Usually I feel better.” Veteran2
“I have to be very present. I have to be in the moment. Unlike a car, you have to concentrate more. You’re more vulnerable physically. So, you are more aware of your immediate surroundings. And so I think it helps me to kind of get – in one way, it helps me get in the moment and live in the present, and I don’t think about the stresses.” Veteran3
“Well, it definitely helps because if you just start screaming while you’re riding because that might make you feel better, it might be just what you need at that moment. Nobody looks at you weird because they don’t know what you’re doing.” Veteran11
That impact is what gives Yblood the inspiration to continue to help others with their healing journey. He said seeing the connections made between riders, a rider and the motorcycle, or the rider and the environment, are what makes wind therapy a successful, supportive modality.
“My personal favorite things to see are when we get done with a ride and everyone has a smile on their face, and I can just tell they feel better,” said Yblood. “Also, (it’s gratifying) watching people make new friends at events and connect with new people who share a similar love and interest in motorcycles.”
Make a Difference Through the One Tribe Foundation
Community members who would like to make an impact and help other veterans and first responders can volunteer at One Tribe Foundation events, or make a donation on the website. Yblood said those interested in helping can contact him at dallas@1tribefoundation.org. One Tribe also is holding their annual Season of Giving campaign, supporting 12 veteran, first responder and law enforcement officer families in need this holiday season. Items to support this campaign can be found here.
Partners such as Law Tigers, SRS Distribution, T-Mobile, Caliber Collision, the Fund For Veterans Assistance/Texas Veterans Commission and others provide funding for programming and events, vital to the One Tribe Foundation’s mission, Yblood said. All this support is what makes helping veterans possible.
“I love this program and being a veteran myself, I could not imagine a more fulfilling way to spend my time than having the chance to help other veterans and get them out on the open road,” Yblood said. “I also just want to say thank you to all of Law Tigers as they have gone above and beyond in supporting us and our mission and we could not do what we do without your support.”
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Study citation: Veterans 1, 2, 3 & 11: Highfill, M. C., Thomas, L., & Schuman, D. L. (2022). Healing on a hog: Wind therapy project report. https://cdn.web.uta.edu/-/media/project/website/social-work/wind-thrapy/windtherapy-report-15apr22.ashx?revision=192a6321e-bec4-4898-a5f7-f004c3fe7374
