HERO PROGRAM NEWS

SOMETIMES HEALING & HOPE COMES WITH FOUR PAWS.

Almost every day, the HERO Program campus is visited by a very loving, gentle canine named Molly.  Living in a nearby residence, Molly finds her way to the campus and strolls around to brighten up the day and lives of both HERO patients and staff members alike.

With her obvious happy puppy disposition, and her way of leaning into you for a hug or rub, Molly gives as much as she receives.  With no words, no degrees, no formal education, this four-legged friend does wonders for those veterans who come to HERO for help and hope.

Often her simple, loving manner and her eyes that are without judgment bring a smile to the face of anyone she encounters.   That in itself is a therapy that is priceless.

If you find the opportunity to visit our HERO campus, look around for Molly.  She is always ready for a hug, a pat on the head, and when you need someone to talk with, she is a really good listener.

Pictured is HERO Managing Partner, Johnny Patout and Molly sharing a few moments together.

OPELOUSAS, LA: HERO Program in Opelousas was honored to host an April 29, 2021 fact finding meeting and tour for Colonel Joey Strickland, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, (LDVA) and his staff members, Billy Robbins, Incarcerated  Veterans / Veterans Court Liaison,  Julie Baxter Payer, Deputy Secretary, and Dustin Guy, Deputy Chief of Staff.

Johnny Patout, Managing Partner of HERO Program and Craig Laseur, Program Manager, were joined by other HERO program staff members in answering questions posed by the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs leaders regarding the services offered by the HERO program and their approach to helping Veterans in their personal recovery.  Patout commented, “LDVA and HERO share a common mission of caring for Veterans of all branches of the US Military.  It was our pleasure to host the leadership of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in their quest to learn more about our services as provided to our military veterans. Touring our campus and meeting with our treatment staff face-to-face gave them the opportunity to experience first-hand what our Veterans see and experience while enrolled in the HERO program.”   PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:

Secretary Strickland commented, “For the 280,000 veterans and their families in the state of Louisiana for whom we serve as advocates, it is vital that our agency look to form a partnership with successful veteran service programs here that help ensure the health, wellness, and security in life due these veterans.   Our tour of the HERO Program gave us the chance to ask questions, see their facilities, and learn first-hand what is the latest in treatment services being provided to help our veterans.  It gave us great comfort knowing that the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the HERO Program both share an important goal, that being ‘Leave No Veteran Behind’.”

While on tour, the LDVA team viewed group therapy rooms, residential complexes, administration facilities, and the site planned for a future, state-of-the-art. fitness center for the HERO program patients.  Secretary Strickland also was able to spend considerable time conversing with the program’s veterans, a gesture that was a greatly appreciated by those whom he visited.

The HERO program’s Craig Laseur remarked during the LDVA tour, “It is vital that we work hand in hand with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs if we are to provide even more of our veterans with help and hope. As a veteran myself, as are many of our staff and their family members, we have a unique appreciation for, and understanding of, what our veterans, from whatever branch of the military they served in, are facing in their lives and in these challenging times.  Simply put, we are here to help them live as successful a life as is possible.”

As Louisiana's only substance abuse disorder and co-occurring treatment program exclusively serving vetrans of all brances of the military, the HERO Program has developed a unique and effective program for those veterans experiencing conditions such as Substance Abuse, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders related to their military service, combat experience and their day-to-day lives.

HERO Program has provided veterans services from its 21-acre campus located between Opelousas and Lafayette, Louisiana just off Interstate 49 since the program began in 2019.  The growing HERO campus currently features several residential complexes, group rooms, administration offices, central nurses stations, and a broad range of outdoor exercise facilities.   Construction will begin later in the summer of 2021  on a new 4,000+ square foot recreational/fitness center.

More on the HERO program can be found at www.heroprogramnb.com or by calling 337-942-1171 or 855-463-9234.  More on the services and work of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs as well as on VA benefits and other resources available to Louisiana veterans can be found at www.vetaffairs.la.gov or by calling (225) 219-5000.

What is unique with the HERO Program in Opelousas is that we are the only program in Louisiana that treats just veterans and active military personnel.  Our HERO Program isn't just a sub-service of another treatment program.  It is our ONLY service.  Also unique is that our program staff is comprised of many veterans or staff who have family members who are veterans, and who are now helping other veterans.

Because of our unique treatment focus, we are often approached by other veterans in the community who want to help, who want to show their appreciation for their fellow military brothers and sisters.

Wishing to remain anonymous, one veteran from nearby Crowley, Louisiana has taken to preparing free breakfasts and other meals for our resident veterans every other Friday.  Recently, he provided a full, on-site crawfish boil, and on another Friday, he prepared a breakfast of sausage, potatoes, bacon, and a pancake bar including fruit.  As everyone knows, in Louisiana, we love to eat, and we really love to cook.

In posting these candid photos to our website and Facebook page today, we wish to express our special thanks to this wonderful, anonymous veteran who has taken it upon himself to help others in their healing and recovery, by giving of himself so unselfishly.  

And, as most of our residents can be heard saying among themselves, “We can’t wait to see what he cooks up next!”


Sausage, bacon, potatoes, pancakes and a fruit bar makes for a great breakfast.  A Louisiana Craw fish boil is tasty for a Friday lunch.