Healing with Horses Program
When I ride Cassie, my goal is to become one with my horse. On bad days it’s as if the horse knows this and is very gentle. I feel if my horse can get up for me I can get up for her. I feel a sense of calm and well being. Being instructed on my posture allows me to be as regal as the horse. Breathing techniques remove stress and allow me to let go. My horse is majestic and allows me to connect with nature through her. I love that horse. When I am away I yearn to be with her to give back to her what she so freely gives to me. Love.
~Anonymous Veteran
I am a Marine Corps veteran and I was pointed to Freedom Farm from my local VA and have been coming to Freedom Farm for about 3 months now. Freedom Farm is a top notch facility that takes the rider’s needs to heart and really tailors a program to help each individual on a personal level. Allowing the two hours a week to work with the horses really helps me to focus on me. It keeps me in the moment of what is going on around me while learning new riding skills from the expert staff. Freedom Farm really is about freedom, as they support everyone in their own journey. Susie, staff and volunteers create an amazing sense of community for each group as they foster a program that allows the individuals to come together and support each other to meet their own individual goals.
~Anonymous Veteran
I would like to extend my warmest thank you to Susie and the volunteers at Freedom Farm for all their efforts to help Veterans. I am a female Army Veteran who served 18 months overseas in Iraq. My mission was convoy security and I worked as the gunner for my truck. Coming home was not a great transition for me. I spent a lot of time in a dark place and socially isolated myself from the people that loved me most. It has been over 10 years since I have been home, and I still have days that are more difficult than others. I knew that I needed to do something different and that is when I found Freedom Farm. Susie welcomed me with open arms, literally, she greeted me with a huge hug the first day I walked into the arena. Being around the horses gives me a sense of calm. I love spending time just brushing the horses before and after we ride. Since starting the riding program, I have become more and more confident in myself and the way I feel on top of the horse. Being at Freedom Farm gives me something to look forward to. I have so much gratitude for Freedom Farm. It makes me feel important that I can come and be a good role model for the high school students and others that come to Freedom Farm to get help. I just feel blessed that I have this program in my life!
~Veteran Jonell Wilson