News & Events
Top Hands Horse Show-Feb. 19-21, 2010
TPVA Member and Volunteer Derrick Perkins competed in this show and won second place in the Trail event.
The Top Hands Horse Show offered a variety of levels of physically-challenged riders of all ages the opportunity to compete in six events, including showmanship at halter, English equitation, Western equitation, trail, pole bending and barrel racing. The show divided into divisions based on assistance needed. Hippotherapy (therapeutic riding) is a fun, freeing therapeutic way to strengthen muscles and improve balance. It also can improve concentration and build confidence while providing new freedom for the riders. Often, riding is the only activity where these riders are able to be mobile and in control.
These "Top Hands" personify strength and perseverance in a way that ensures there is never a dry eye in the house. Coaches, volunteers, family members and spectators realize they have witnessed an extraordinary event that can change the lives of everyone involved. The courage exhibited by superior riders who continually break barriers not only in the arena, but also in their lives, drives this unique experience.
Houston VA Hosts 9th Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
HOUSTON - The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program (HCHV), in cooperation with the City of Houston-Parks and Recreation Department, City of Houston-Office of Veterans Affairs, Coalition for the Homeless, Harris County Hospital District (HCHD), Harris County Veteran Services, Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, SEARCH, Task Force for Houston Area Homeless Veterans, U.S. Veterans Initiative, VA Regional Office, and Vet Centers, is hosting the 9th Houston Area Stand Down for homeless Veterans on October 7 - 8, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Emancipation Park Community Center located at 3018 Dowling Street.
"Stand Down" is military terminology referring to the brief period of time a soldier leaves an active combat area in order to rest and regain strength. The Houston Area Stand Down will bring a wide range of specialized resources together to provide homeless Veterans with comprehensive medical and psychosocial services. Stand Down can be an opportunity for the homeless Veteran to access a broad spectrum of services at one convenient location and to create a plan for re-entry into mainstream society.
Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to provide services to homeless Veterans. Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless Veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment.
Agency involvement requires staffing a booth during Stand Down to meet one-on-one with homeless Veterans to assess their needs, educate them regarding community resources available to assist them with their needs, and help them begin the corresponding application processes. Houston agencies that wish to provide immediate services and/or information to Houston area homeless Veterans should contact Michelle Jabbie at (713)791-1414, ext 5870. Those wishing to volunteer may contact Derrick Morrison at (713) 791-1414, ext. 6399 to register.
The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is one of the largest and most complex medical centers in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Awarded the Robert W. Carey Organizational Excellence Award in 2005, the Robert W. Carey Circle of Excellence Quality Award in 2007, and re-designation for Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services in 2008, the MEDVAMC serves as the primary health care provider for more than 120,000 Veterans in southeast Texas. Veterans from around the country are referred to the MEDVAMC for specialized diagnostic care, surgery, and medical treatment including cardiovascular surgery, liver transplant, and treatment of spinal cord injury and diseases. Including the outpatient clinics in Beaumont, Conroe, Galveston Lufkin, and Texas City, MEDVAMC outpatient clinics logged nearly 900,000 outpatient visits in fiscal year 2008. For the latest news releases and information about the MEDVAMC, visit http://www.houston.va.gov.
H1N1: Texans with Disabilities Prepare for Pandemic Influenza
Texans with disabilities should begin planning and preparation for the fall and the H1N1 flu virus. People with disabilities, their families, and attendants must consider matters of personal preparedness planning for flu at home and work. The survey below and related information and resources has been developed to assist you in your planning efforts. Visit the Office of the Governor website for more information.
Take this Survey
Downloadable, Printable Resources
Texans Preparing for Pandemic Influenza (English PDF)
Texans Preparing for Pandemic Inlfuenza (Spanish, PDF)
Word
Texans Preparing for Pandemic Influenza (English, Word version)
Texans Preparing for Pandemic Influenza (Spanish, Word version)
TPVA's New Website Wins 2nd place in Web Design Competition
The annual Accessibility Internet Rally (AIR)event pairs a web design team with a local non-profit organization with the goal of having the AIR team redesign a website using ADA accessibility standards. A team of web developers from Topspot Internet Marketing, a local internet marketing agency, redesigned the TPVA site. The team competed in the upper division against teams from other companies in town and received 2nd place.
Inaugural American Wounded Heroes Golf Classic
You are cordially invited to participate in the Inaugural American Wounded Heroes Golf Classic on August 11th, 2008 at the prestigious Canyon Springs Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas. All proceeds will go to Texas Chapter PVA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, specifically for use for sports programs for our injured service members, paralyzed and/or disabled veterans in the South Texas area. For more information, download the information form.
