United States Veterans Mission Butterfly Hollidaysburg Veteran's Home Altoona, Pennsylvania Dr. Robert Snetsinger, Professor Emeritus of Entomology Pennsylvania State University http://www.missionbf.tripod.com/

	Click on a picture to see it full size

In the fall of 1998, Dr. Robert Snetsinger started butterfly activities and programs with Bob Ruggery, his former student and vector control specialist HVH. This butterfly therapy/outreach program benefits both residents of assisted living facilities and area children, and has gained strong community support.

Mission Butterfly started at the Hollidaysburg Veteran's Home which is operated by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This facility provides assisted living and health care for 520 veterans and some spouses. The residents have few friends or relatives in the community and are very isolated.

This project provides the residents with an interesting, healthful activity they can enjoy year around, and promotes activities that attract public interaction on the HVH facility. The veterans studied butterfly raising, growth and gardening and then began to share this knowledge with the surrounding community in monthly activities. The veterans take field trips to collect butterflies, visit area butterfly gardens and exhibits such as the Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens. The butterfly program at the HVH facility consists of a butterfly classroom and museum; two butterfly gardens and a large greenhouse (32 feet by 98 feet long!) The greenhouse is divided into three sections: a live butterfly exhibit section which will open to the public; a section for native plans for sale to butterfly gardeners in the spring; and a small area for rearing and research.

Butterflies bring the vets together with community residents so that they can share a common interest, establish friendships and bring recognition to the vets who bravely served their country. This very positive program stimulates the facility residents into an interesting program that results in a more positive lifestyle filled with activity and friendships.

		Back to the Home Page