SHU Professors Help Veterans Dig History
Lola Halperin and Jaimee Hegge team up to take OT students on rehabilitation excursions
A conversation between Sacred Heart University’s Lola Halperin, assistant professor of occupational therapy, and her archeologist cousin has changed the lives of many veterans and the students who worked with them.
Halperin’s cousin, Rona Evyasaf, told her about a group of American military veterans who would be going to Israel to take part in an excavation. “Rona told me it was believed to help with their PTSD and anxiety.” As an occupational therapist, Halperin was intrigued. She reached out to American Veterans Archeological Recovery (AVAR) and volunteered to join them on a dig in Albany, NY.
“This was my opportunity to do a needs assessment,” said Halperin, whose expertise is mental health occupational therapy. While the mental health benefits were obvious, an issue became immediately apparent. “I discovered very quickly that archeology takes a toll on their joints. And they all had problems to begin with—neck pain, back pain, knee pain, to name a few,” she said.
“From an emotional health point of view, such ventures are golden,” Halperin continued. Archeological excavation is similar to serving in the military. Participants carry heavy equipment; they are focused on their jobs and take pride in their work. They’re also spending time outdoors and working side by side with their peers. They also find the experience soothing and rewarding, especially once they find historical artifacts. “But from a physical standpoint, the archeological work is damaging their joints. Excavating for long hours is difficult when you already have conditions affecting your joints.”
After participating in a second AVAR excavation in Israel, Halperin conferred with Jaimee Hegge, clinical assistant professor in occupational therapy at Sacred Heart, who specializes in ergonomics and physical disabilities. They immediately came up with a plan to support AVAR and its mission with a harm-reduction model. “We knew they relied on the excavation projects for their emotional health; we just needed to make it as safe as possible,” said Halperin.
Hegge said the excavation process involves digging with small and large tools, lifting, sifting, standing and performing frequent repetitive movements. “We know that any job where you repeat the same movement over and over causes wear and tear to your joints, muscles and ligaments,” she said. “I had to learn more about archeology, and then I helped OT students prepare presentations on ergonomics and safety. The challenge for me was the buy-in [from the clients]. They knew they had pain, so they were open to the strategies we came up with. That was where the students were able to come in and start addressing the issues.”
Halperin, Hegge and nine graduate occupational therapy (OT) students participated in a dig in Saratoga Springs, NY, before the pandemic. Students applied Kinesio tape (which helps reduce pain and swelling), provided adaptive tools, corrected posture while the veterans were working and helped dig on-site. Students and faculty also worked with veterans to address mental health aspects of chronic pain while implementing cognitive behavioral therapy principles. During the pandemic, the professors and their students held virtual sessions with the AVAR teams.
One student who took part in the virtual sessions during the pandemic is now employed with the AVAR. Casey Saunders ’20, MSOT ’22, is a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, so he has firsthand knowledge and understanding of the challenges veterans face in the civilian world. “As a veteran, we are trained and taught that mental health and physical health and disabilities are not important and need to be pushed through,” said Saunders. “AVAR allows veterans from all walks of life to understand, learn and gain tools and strategies to help promote healthier and more fulfilling lives. They also learn healthy and safe ways to live with mental and physical challenges and disabilities.”
Saunders appreciates the partnership between Sacred Heart and AVAR from two perspectives. “AVAR is an amazing and life-changing program for veterans but also for students,” he said. “It allows students to experience working with individuals from a veteran population. It allows students to gain knowledge, skills and understanding of how to be a professional and efficient OT.”
Halperin and Hegge now serve on AVAR’s technical advisory committee. They are searching for grants to help bring students on archeological excavations with the veterans on a regular basis.