Behinds The Scenes with V.E.T.S.

What is VETS all about?

VETS was started by a likeminded group of people that have had very positive experiences partnering with horses to help raise the quality of life for individuals that face a wide variety of challenges.  Due to our strong connection to the military community, we wanted to offer these same services to veterans and active duty members, free of charge.

What is your mission?

The mission of V.E.T.S. is to provide a serene place for military veterans to go that provides therapeutic healing and life skills through educational, agricultural and equine- assisted activities taught by highly skilled and compassionate instructors, staff and trained volunteers at no charge to our clients.

V.E.T.S. exists with the goal to provide our services at no charge to our clients.  Many of our volunteers and staff are veterans themselves, and understand the challenges veterans face reintegrating into domestic life after experiencing the psychological trauma and physical wounds of war or life after service. Having a program that they can participate in that costs them nothing, and that they are invited to stay in for as long as they wish, is very helpful to the participants. The program is designed so that long term members are able and encouraged to support newer participants in a veteran mentoring veterans scenario.

How is your program?

VETS is structured to provide therapeutic support to veterans and their families in a safe and supportive environment. We offer equine assisted activities, agricultural activities and educational activities to facilitate healing, growth and purpose. All of our activities are designed to be positive experiences and fellowship with a common community. The Equine Program utilizes horse skills to teach about Empathy, Partnerships, Trust based relationships, nonverbal communication skills, confidence and purpose in a fun and challenging environment. Generally it is one to two veterans per equine partner with a horse handler with a current maximum of four horses in the class at once. These are led be an instructor and assistant instructors to ensure the safest environments possible. The Agricultural program is being designed to teach responsibility, internal motivation, creativity, enthusiasm, time management, patience, caring/understanding, planning/organizing skills, resourcefulness/flexibility, open-mindedness, and people skills in an outdoor and greenhouse setting. Activities include, planting, weeding, tending and harvesting. Our educational opportunities are designed to support the main set of deliverables in the equine and agricultural programs. Opportunities may include culinary events, partnering with a special needs riding program or learning how to build farm structures. The entire program is designed to support and integrate all lessons into a cohesive learning and therapeutic experience.

How do horses help those who are a part of your program?

Our horses are at the center of our mission. Our equine partners are amazingly intelligent creatures with their own diverse personalities, habits and backgrounds. Horses are deeply empathetic creatures that are highly attuned to the emotional states of those around them. This ability developed is essentially a survival skill that allows them to be perfect barometers when trying to determine our own emotional state in real time. If you are agitated, the horse will become anxious and if you are able to calm yourself, the horse will begin to calm as well. A horse demands you to be present in the moment. Their nature can be calming and deeply emotional to humans. Horses have the ability to help us open avenues to emotions and feelings that may be deeply suppressed. Working with the horses helps facilitate a possible opportunity to deeper healing. It is something that needs to be experienced to truly understand.

Can you describe the relationship between the horses and veterans?

Amazingly horses and veterans share many deep connections. No other creature on the planet has experienced war to the depth that humans have except the horse. Horses and veterans will forever be linked as comrades in arms having experienced the horrors of war. In order to survive for millions of years, horses have had to fine tune their survival skills that humans diagnose as markers for P.T.S.D. Hyper-vigilance, fight or flight response and deep seated trust issues, yet they still allow themselves to be open to creating new relationships. Horses also don’t bring judgment of our past or care about our disabilities or body image. They only care that you can be trusted and won’t bring harm to them. For this, we can create an incredible bond that helps us learn about them and ourselves. This is something we all desire. This common ground is a place where our veterans can start their healing process and form deeper emotional bonds with animals and humans.

Do you have a favorite “success story” that you can share?

One of many success stories is Randy, a Marine Veteran who was suffering with Traumatic Brain Injury, amongst other challenges.  He came to the program with mobility issues and using a walker.  He always had to have someone drive him to the facility, and at the time, he was living with others because he was unable to live independently. After participating in the program for a little over a year Randy has become physically stronger, more confident, exhibit signs of independence, communicates better, moves without help, has reduced his stress and so much more.  He is now able to walk without the assistance of a walker or cane.  He now drives himself to class and lives independently. Randy’s progress is due to the hard work and support of all of the V.E.T.S volunteers, staff and instructors along with the dedicated support of our donors.  

What are the biggest costs associated with a program like this?

The top 5 biggest costs, are as follows (not in any particular order): - Care and feeding for our shared herd - Feed, hay, insurance, veterinarian bills. VETS shares responsibility of the herd with Horses Healing Humans - Expenses for maintaining the farm - We often have to borrow tools, trucks, chainsaws equipment, tractors, backhoes trailers etc. from friends and supporters. - Tack and safety equipment for our veterans - Due to use and breakage we are constantly in need of new halters, blankets, helmets wraps grooming equipment etc. Program Expenses - to create intake forms, classroom materials etc. - And as always Marketing/Advertising expenses and merchandising we use for education and fundraising opportunities.

Are people able to donate and support and how can they help?

Yes, There are multiple ways for people to support our mission. Due to the high cost of running and supporting an equine program, and the fact that we never charge our veterans, financial donations are critical to our program survival. We are always open to sponsorships, grants, endowments as well as donations via our website. Checks may be sent to us via our post office box - Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services, PO Box 621 New London, CT06320. Any amount helps! We are always accepting applications on our website for volunteers to help with the program out at the farm. There are opportunities to support the program through equine and non-equine chores around the farm. No horse experience is required. People can also support by purchasing items on our web store. We have things like VETS t-shirts and hoodies available. Lastly, just by mentioning and sharing us on social media helps keep the word out about our program and helping veterans. If you know any veterans that may benefit from our program please have them reach out to us. We are also looking at finding a sponsor for a truck and horse trailer with a co-branded vehicle wrap so that we can take the program to veterans facilities and events to promote the work we are doing as well as our partners.

How would you ideally like to see the program grow in the future?

We are looking to grow the program in a couple of areas.  First, we are planning on expanding our class offerings during the week.  This is important because our Saturday classes have been quite busy and we want to ensure that our class size stays at a level where the participants maximize their time with the horses.  Additionally, we are working on developing our agricultural component for the veterans.  We are also designing our programing with strategic partners so that the veterans may be introduced to a wide variety of activities.  There are several similar agricultural programs throughout the country that veterans have responded favorably to, so we would like to be able to offer the same opportunities here at the farm.

What does running a program like VETS mean to you personally?

( Craig McCalister - Founder) I am very proud of this program because I have been able to witness that the hard work that has been put in by our team that has resulted in a very positive effect to those that participate.  It is truly wonderful seeing the connection the veterans have with the horses and hearing their stories of how their time spent at the farm has helped them.