Free equine therapy to female veterans with PTSD in dire need of support

Financial fallout of COVID-19 hits Montana ranch that helps female veterans fight PTSD

FOX News
By Emily DeCiccio
May 21, 2020

Ledoux and her mother depend on donations to run Serenity Ranch and offer free-of-charge equine therapy to at-risk women. Their dedication comes from their firsthand account of equine therapy when they both experienced loss.

Lisa Ledoux and her mother have been operating Serenity Ranch in Montana since May 2016, providing free equine therapy to female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumas.

The economic fallout of COVID-19, however, has taken a toll on Serenity Ranch and is forcing the horse rescue facility to roll back its critical equine therapy programs and sell nearly 40 acres of land.

“This year, unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be unable to do a female veteran program,” said Ledoux. “We’ll be taking care of the horses, and that's kind of what we've been focusing on more lately since the pandemic started, just because the donations that we were receiving have gone down significantly.”

Ledoux explained to Fox News that it’s just her and her mom taking care of the ranch and the horses. She broke down the high operating costs and noted that a bale of hay, for example, is $120, and the horses go through one bale in about a day-and-a-half.
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WHO WE ARE:
The Serenity Ranch’s mission is to assist women with programs designed to create a safe environment to help facilitate a positive relationship with our 42 rescued horses, when battling PTSD, trauma, abuse and the addictions that can result.

Programs will be created for the following :
Female Veterans
Female Spouses of Veterans
Female Law Enforcement Officers
Spouses of Law Enforcement Officers
Grieving Women
Families of Veterans and Law Enforcement Officers
Women Experiencing or Living With Trauma
Abused Women

Each program group will have one thing in common; background. Veterans will be grouped together, as well as Spouses and Law Enforcement Officers. We will not be mixing backgrounds for individual programs!

Our organization is pending non-profit (501c-3) status, but is actively fundraising.

Military Makeover with Montel: Homestead Equine Therapy

Area veteran and Homestead Stables to be featured on Lifetime TV’s ‘Military Makeover with Montel’

Observer
BUSINESS
MAY 5, 2019

Heritage Ministries Vice-President of Marketing and Development, Lisa Haglund, has announced that Homestead Stables by Heritage, in conjunction with N.E.I.G.H. and the Constance Project, will serve as a filming location for “Military Makeover with Montel,” hosted by Montel Williams this month.

The show, which airs on Lifetime TV, will feature the story of Ashville, NY resident Cody Willett, who currently works as a computer specialist with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, and his wife Jessica. A weapons supply technician for special operations teams in the United States Air Force, Willett was four months into his second deployment when his base was attacked. He was severely injured in a rocket propelled grenade attack, leaving him with a fractured lower spine, dislocated shoulder and a damaged ankle. Evacuated for medical treatment in Germany, Cody was eventually able to return home to New York, where he met his wife.


Upon his return, Willett began working with Cindy Reidy of the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer Program. The program’s goal is to link veterans together for socialization and friendship and utilizes peer support from those who can relate to the struggles of transitioning into civilian life.


It was at this point that Homestead Stables and equine assisted therapy specialist, Dawn Samuelson, founder of The Constance Project, entered the picture. Named after Dawn’s late sister, Constance Marie Davenport, a U.S. Air Force veteran that took her own life at the age of 25. The program is designed to aid in the prevention of suicide and work with veterans that experience PTSD, bereavement, anxiety, depression and anger issues. The Constance Project not only works with veterans, but active military and their families as well.
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Blind horse ranch and PTSD veterans bond

Blind Horses, Combat Veterans Get Second Chance At Life At This Rescue
WFMY News 2
Author: Laura Brache
August 20, 2018

Flurry's Hope Blind Horse Rescue rescues horses that were going to be euthanized because of their blindness and provides therapeutic experiences for combat veterans with PTSD.

MADISON, N.C. (WFMY) – A couple of right turns off US 220 N in Madison and you’ll come across a farm with a little over a dozen horses.

While you may see them trotting and running through the fields, there’s something you won’t notice.

All of the horses are blind.

The farm is called Flurry’s Hope Blind Horse Rescue.

“Flurry’s Hope is a blind horse rescue that demonstrates to the world that disability is not inability,” said founder and director Emilie Storch.

According to Storch, all of the horses on the farm were going to be euthanized because of their blindness.

“We have horses that are like $55,000, $11,000 and just because they were blind, nothing else, they were going to be killed,” Storch explained.

But Storch isn’t only giving the horses a second chance at life, it’s also a second chance for the veterans that volunteer to care for them.
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First Responders and Veterans with PTSD Share Healing Horse Power

Veterans, first responders with PTSD encouraged to find peace in Middleburg horse pasture

Florida Times Union Jacksonville

Joe Daraskevich

December 26 2017

“I want people to know that this is a place that nobody is going to be judging them.This is a peaceful place away from all distractions.” Rebecca Davenport

Rebecca Davenport envisions veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder enjoying yoga classes, group meetings, counseling or alone time in a peaceful spot where horses graze and city sounds are miles away.

For years she’s offered help to veterans suffering from physical and emotional issues through interaction with horses at Hope Therapy in Middleburg. Now she feels she has more to offer for anyone with PTSD who needs a place to get away.

“The back of our property is under some really pretty oaks,” Davenport said. “I decided there needed to be something out there.”

With construction assistance from sailors stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Davenport added a gazebo, a fire pit, benches and a pergola to create an atmosphere where veterans can escape the stresses of life.

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Body of Missing Air Force Veteran Found in Adirondacks

Missing Webster hiker found dead in the Adirondacks
By Spectrum News Staff
August 2, 2017

Baker also served in the Air Force for 26 years, where he was discharged under the title Master Sargent. That experience allowed him to connect with other veterans in the program.

Skip Baker of Webster disappeared during a solo hike in the Adirondack mountain range on Sunday

A search and rescue team found his body on Monday in the East Branch of the Ausable River.

The 50-year-old joined the "EquiCenter's" therapeutic equestrian program five years ago.

It helps those with disabilities, at-risk youth and veterans like Baker reach their therapeutic goals.

Operations Consultant, Dr. Susan Taylor Brown, says that she grew fond of Baker.

"I was one of the first people who knew him. He was a very shy, no nonsense, quiet person," said Brown.

And like most veterans who are introduced to the program, they start in therapeutic riding.

"It was more comfortable for him to be around horses than people," said Brown.

According to Brown, Baker had a special connection with one horse in particular: Harley.

"Harley is an Irish draft and Skips' Irish also, they shared a bond," said Brown.

After getting more comfortable there, Baker took on additional roles and skills from goal setting to even volunteering.
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Another Veteran Charity Scammed Donors?

Fake Carmel horse rescue, veteran charity scammed donors, AG says
KSBW
Caitlin Conrad
Apr 19, 2017

The Gregory's charities raised $782,434 between 2014-2015. None of the money was ever used for equine therapy, saving horses' lives, or supporting veterans, the lawsuit states.

CARMEL, Calif. — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a civil lawsuit seeking to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars from two Carmel charities that claim to rescue horses and support wounded veterans with therapeutic riding.

Becerra said both charities are fake.

Matthew G. Gregory, his wife, Danella J. Gregory, and their adult children, Matthew J. Gregory and Gina D. Gregory, operate Central Coast Equine Rescue and Retirement (CCERR) and Wounded Warriors Support Group (WWSG), Becerra said.

The Attorney General's Office says the Gregory family is a group of con artists.

"CCERR and WWSG run raffles purportedly to support veterans and horses, but instead spend the donated proceeds for personal use," the AG's Office wrote in a press release.

Personal uses included spending $10,000 at a hunting store, buying cars, shopping at Victoria's Secret and Nordstrom, paying off personal credit card debts, traveling, and restaurant bills, according to the lawsuit.

The two charities accept donations through a Carmel-by-the-Sea mailbox, but don't have a physical location. Matthew Gregory also appears at car shows across the state to hold raffles.
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Aussie Diggers Deal With PTSD Horsing Around

How horses are helping Aussie diggers deal with post-traumatic stress disorder
Daily Telegraph
EXCLUSIVE, Jordan Baker
The Sunday Telegraph
February 25, 2017

“Even in times of high stress, ­afterwards you can think back and know there is another side, that you don’t always have to be hyper-vigilant or stressed or angry.” Ben Tyne

EVER since he returned from his army tour of Afghanistan, Ben Tyne has lived with the mental torture that is post-traumatic stress disorder. The rage, depression and loneliness are relentless, so any escape is precious.

There are currently limited services to assist servicemen and women who return from service. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

To that end, Mr Tyne spends as much time as he can with horses.

“It’s very honest,” he said. “There is no judgment and no ridicule.”

Equine-assisted therapy is rapidly growing in popularity as a way to calm and treat people with ­addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The theory is that horses are ­socially sophisticated animals, and deeply responsive to emotional cues. In order to successfully interact with the horses, patients must work on regulating their own emotions, and keep their anger in check.
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Florida Lawmakers Push Alternative PTSD Treatment for Veterans

Florida lawmakers working to get veterans access to alternative treatments such as acupuncture
Action News Jax
by: Michael Yoshida
Jan 17, 2017

There’s a push to make it easier for Florida veterans to get access to “alternative treatments” for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and other injuries.

The treatments include things like acupuncture, equine therapy, music therapy and meditation.

They're included in two bills introduced by Florida lawmakers.There’s a push to make it easier for Florida veterans to get access to “alternative treatments” for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and other injuries.

The treatments include things like acupuncture, equine therapy, music therapy and meditation.

Action News Jax spoke with veterans who are already benefiting from this form of treatment.

“You know it took me years to even talk about my problems,” said Army veteran Chad Childers.

Childers, an Army Ranger, was medically discharged after deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I tried to cope with my issues by drinking and ended up out on the streets,” Childers said.

Childers eventually found his way to the Five Star Veterans Center.

“When they first brought up doing art therapy, I’m like 'uh, what’s this cheeseball stuff? I’m not, you know, in elementary school anymore,' but I went to it and I actually had a great time,” Childers said.
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Vietnam Veteran Finds Comfort In Horses

Vietnam Veteran Finds Comfort In Horses, Helps Others Vets Cope
WYSO
By ADRIAN HILL
NOV 25, 2015

William Goforth ADRIAN HILL WYSO

Vietnam veteran William Goforth knows firsthand the challenge of returning to civilian life after a difficult deployment.

He found comfort in horses, and now finds purpose in sharing his discovery with Post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Army veteran, and Wright State student, Adrian Hill of Englewood has today’s Veterans’ Voices story.

William Goforth was drafted into the Vietnam War as a generator mechanic but once there he was assigned to tactical combat casualty care where he tended to critically wounded soldiers. When William returned home after serving he did not receive a hero’s welcome.

"I faced the same problems that everyone else faced," says William. "We came back and we weren’t welcomed and we didn’t feel like we were part of this world and we weren’t. We were a different individual after we went through the zone that we went through. It takes a lot of time to forget and you aren’t going to be able to forget, so you have to deal with it."

William’s way of dealing with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was by working with horses.
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PTSD, Not New and Not Hopeless

Beyond mindfulness: how horse riding and eating greens can help depression
The Guardian
Amy Fleming
August 10, 2015

Mindfulness and CBT have been touted as catch-all cures for anxiety and depression. But what if they don’t work for you? We look at some alternative therapies

Vietnam veterans in America, with no support for coping with post traumatic stress disorder, turned to horses to sooth their souls, and so now are some Iraq vets.

Not so long ago, if you had anxiety or depression, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was the answer. It was everywhere. Now mindfulness is even more ubiquitous.

And there is indeed much scientific evidence for its benefits in treating depression, anxiety and addiction. But, as Rachel Boyd of the mental health charity Mind points out, “It’s not for everyone and there are lots of alternatives.” Before CBT, Freudian psychotherapy dominated.

We’ve lumbered from digging up the roots of our problems, to solving issues by changing the way we think and behave with CBT, to learning to enjoy life how it is, through mindfulness. But if none of the above appeal to you, that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up all hope of a calmer, brighter outlook. There are other options.
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Kentucky National Guard Getting Something Right on Suicide Prevention

This is part of the problem. "Resilience training" is something that has been "taught" or pushed on them since 2009. When we think about that fact that this was supposed to prevent them from committing suicide, yet they went up afterwards, it does not work!

Kentucky National Guard Suicide Prevention Awareness Public Service Announcement 
Kentucky Guard


The fact remains that suicides among younger veterans is now triple their peer rate after all these years of prevention training.

Sgt Maggie Eveland "behind the scenes" Interview, talks about seeking help after trying to end her own life. She found something that worked and is part of what the National Guard is doing right. She is amazing and what she said is a powerful message for anyone needing help.



Published on Apr 28, 2015
On an average day 22 military veterans take their own life. Of those, 69% are 50 years old or older.

With these sobering statistics in mind, the Kentucky National Guard presents a public service announcement designed to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

The 30-second in-house production features Maj. Bobbie Mayes, Sgt. Maggie Eveland and Eveland's horse, Khaleesi. The video also has messages of support and contact information for military personnel and veterans in need.

This accompanying "behind the scenes" video features Sgt. Eveland discussing the challenges of life, the value of suicide awareness training and how Khaleesi helped inspire her through a period of crisis.

If you need help or know someone who does, call 1-800-273-TALK to discuss veteran suicide.

For more information on suicide awareness contact:

Capt. David W. Shelley, email: david.w.shelley.mil@mail.mil
Resilience, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program Manager
502-607-1941

PTSD Veterans Find Healing With Horses

Equine therapy helping local veterans
Horses help veterans suffering with PTSD
WESH 2 News Orlando
By Dave McDaniel
UPDATED 6:10 PM EDT Apr 28, 2015

Veterans and first responders receive therapy at S.A.D.L.E.S. free of charge.

ORLANDO, Fla. —You might not know it just by looking at him, but Lance Cpl. Chris Brooking has only recently returned from the battlefield. Sometimes the scars of war can be seen and other times completely hidden.

Brooking's wounds weren't only the visible kind. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I couldn't bring myself to even walking around the neighborhood, constantly being on guard, on high alert, crazy uncomfortable,” he said.

The recipient of a Purple Heart after being injured in Afghanistan, Brooking wasn't the same when he came home.

“I was very uncomfortable in every day situations,” he said.

“Whenever I talked with him, I felt I had to walk on eggshells, because sometimes anything I said would set him off,” said his wife, Katie Brooking.
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Vietnam Veterans of America PTSD Suicide Town Hall

Town Hall to address veteran PTSD, suicide
KNOX News
News Sentinel staff
Dec 1, 2014

They fought overseas on behalf of their country.

Now, back home, there’s another battle to take on: suicide and PTSD.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America will sponsor a “PTSD and Suicide Prevention Town Hall Meeting” for all veterans, active-duty military members and their families.

From 6-9 p.m. at Washington Pike United Methodist Church, representatives from various agencies will summarize the history of PTSD and its causes; talk about symptoms and treatment options; share resources for those with PTSD, including VA benefits; and answer questions.

Actress/model Jennifer O’Neill will speak about the Hillenglade Horses Healing Heroes programs, and veterans who have PTSD but “fought and are winning their battles” will offer testimonials, said Barry Rice, president of the council.

Rice said statistics show 22 veterans a day — 8,030 year — complete suicide, which doesn’t take into account the number who attempt it. More than 70 percent, he said, were 50 or older. But the number of male veterans younger than 30 who commit suicide has jumped 44 percent, he said.
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Film tells how horseback riding helped vet with PTSD

Medicine Horse Center plans 'Riding My Way Back'
Film tells how horseback riding helped vet with PTSD
Cortez Journal
For The Mancos Times Article
October 28, 2014

Medicine Horse Center plans to screen "Riding My Way Back," the new award-winning, short documentary about the powerful healing of therapeutic riding for a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The documentary will be screened at The Durango Elks Lodge, 901 E. Second Ave., Durango, on Friday, Nov. 7.

Tickets are available for $15, and free for veterans. Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance by contacting Lynne Howarth, of Medicine Horse Center at (970)-533-7403. Proceeds of ticket sales go toward veterans services with Medicine Horse Center.

"Riding My Way Back" chronicles a soldier's journey back from the brink of suicide.

In 2010, Staff Sgt. Aaron Heliker returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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Film on Equine PTSD Therapy Wins Award

Screening of Award-Winning Film "Riding My Way Back"
Atlantic Highlands Herald
Written by MC Park System
Published: 07 October 2014

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Monmouth County Park System and its partner Special People United to Ride (SPUR) is pleased to announce that the Sunnyside Equestrian Center, 628 Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, will host a screening of the award-winning film “Riding My Way Back” on Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m. This short new documentary tells the powerful story of how therapeutic riding helped a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury begin to heal. A suggested donation of $5 can be given at the door.

The film chronicles one soldier’s journey back from the brink of suicide. In 2010, Staff Sergeant Aaron Heliker returned from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At his most desperate and isolated, on 42 medications and suicidal, Aaron is introduced to the unlikeliest of saviors: a horse named Fred. Through caring for Fred, Aaron begins the difficult process of reconnecting to the world around him and healing the invisible wounds of war that nearly defeated him.
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Veterans Charity claims 68% PTSD healed in a week?

Local veteran puts on Gala for Warrior Camp
New Hampshire.com
By MEGHAN PIERCE
Union Leader Correspondent
July 20, 2014

Warrior Camp alum Jennifer Pacanowski of Allentown, Pennsylvania, reads poetry she wrote to express her challenges with PTSD at the 1st annual Warrior Camp Gala in Jaffrey Saturday. Meghan Pierce

JAFFREY — Saturday night’s Warrior Camp Gala at the Shattuck Golf Club raised about $10,000 to support the treatment of active military members and veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Warrior Camp founder Eva J. Usadi of New York City told gala attendees the intensive one-week program was created to save lives. Every day one active military member commits suicide, she said, and the suicide rate is even higher in the veteran population in which 22 veterans commit suicide a day.

Warrior Camp is held a few times a year at Touchstone Farm in Temple. But Usadi is hoping to raise funds to build a full-time facility for Warrior Camp in New York eventually.

There are three components to Warrior Camp, Usadi said: equine assisted psychotherapy, yoga and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.

PTSD is a physical and biological reaction to trauma that cannot be properly treated through talk therapy and medication, Usadi said.

Because of their approach, Usadi said 68 percent of the participants who arrive at Warrior Camp with chronic PTSD no longer meet that diagnosis by the end of the week.

Graduates of the camp have urged Usadi to add a fourth component to the program: community.

“They train together. They live together and they go to war together in very tightly knit units and some of the people have said we have created that feeling again that nobody has had since they had been discharged,” Usadi said.
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Soldiers and Saddles helping veterans with PTSD

Bond between veteran, stable owner forms new program
WBNG
By Erika Mahoney
Updated Apr 18, 2014

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) The gentle movement of a horse's stride and fresh air can be relaxing and therapeutic, making it a healing activity for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries.

After years of helping children with special needs and disabilities, the owner of Stable Movement founded the program "Soldiers and Saddles."

"I have a brother who has PTSD," Pedroso said. "So that was a reason why I decided to really get the ball rolling on the program Soldiers and Saddles."

Another reason -- a Vietnam veteran, Tom Wiser, who stumbled upon her stable four years ago. "I came up the hill here and I saw Theresa had horses here," Wiser said. "I stopped and said, 'do you need any help?'"

Wiser suffered a stroke from the chemical use of Agent Orange.
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2 rescued horses believed stolen from veteran’s therapy program

2 rescued horses believed stolen from veteran’s therapy program
Horses discovered missing from pasture March 14
News3
Author: Dave Delozier, Reporter
Published On: Mar 17 2014

LA VALLE, Wis.
Two rescued horses used for equine therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder are believed to have been stolen.

The horses were discovered missing from a pasture on September Farm on March 14. A search of the 70-acre farm showed no signs of the two horses and there were no open gates or breaks in the fencing.

One of the horses is a yearling chestnut filly named Vicki. The other is a 3-year-old gelding palomino named Jimmy. Jimmy provides equine therapy for a soldier in the National Guard while Vicki provides therapy for a Chicago police officer.

"These horses belong to police officers and veterans, and they protect us and give us our freedom. Why would someone be so callous?" said Barbara Knopf of Veterans Equine Trail Services.
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Patriot Game raises more than $13,000 for PTSD vets

Gridiron Tribute
Grand Traverse Insider
Published: Monday, October 14, 2013

Patriot Game raises more than $13,000 for vets

Last month’s Patriot Game between TC Central and TC West raised more than $13,000
through the sale of shirts, donations and concessions at the game.
A majority of the funds will go to the Grand Traverse Horses 4 Heroes program
at Reining Liberty Ranch.
Photo by Allen-Kent Photography

TRAVERSE CITY – A program that helps returning northern Michigan veterans will receive a huge boost thanks to this year’s Traverse City Patriot Game. Organizers announced last week that the annual event collected more than $13,000 through the sale of shirts, donations and concessions at the game.

A majority of the funds will go to the Grand Traverse “Horses 4 Heroes” program at Reining Liberty Ranch. The nonprofit facility creates a safe place for northern Michigan veterans who have returned from war zones where they have been on hyper vigilance.

The Ranch runs an equine program that helps veterans who are coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other physical injuries.
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Special Report: Recovering from PTSD

Special Report: Recovering from PTSD
CBS 47
Reported by: Claudia Rodarte
May 10, 2013

American heroes... returning home from long tours of duty. Sometimes adjusting is easy, but for some... the war isn’t over. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder impacting millions of soldiers.

In this Special Report, CBS47's Claudia Rodarte shows how some veterans are learning to cope with the disorder.

Army veteran Gerardo Lozano served in the army for 8 years. While stationed in Iraq, his Humvee ran over a roadside bomb. "Just the whole shock about it kind of rattled my brain. Um, I just have those after effects," said Gerardo.

Army veteran Edgar Duenas-Flores also served in Iraq. His platoon struck multiple IEDs.

"When they go off, you just feel it. You just see stars and takes you a while to try, try to come back and figure out where you are," said Edgar.

Edgar has a bullet wound in the knee and scarring from a roadside bomb on his arm and back. But most have wounds you will never see... wounds that impact their lives and those of their families when they return home. "I'm full of scars physically, but the mental ones are the toughest ones," said Edgar.

Thousands of returning vets suffer from brain injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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