VETERANS PROGRAMS
Horses are excellent partners for Veterans. They live in the moment; they don’t judge, and they are completely honest. As sentient beings, they know exactly how we are feeling, even if we lack awareness or complete understanding ourselves. They are natural, thoughtful and reflective teachers, who are willing, open-hearted, patient, instinctively nonjudgmental and responsive. They are honest communicators, living in the moment, and can provide wisdom and natural healing.
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Shepard Meadows provides no-cost services to Veterans and their families through three different programs. Click the links below to learn more.
VETERANS HORSEMANSHIP PROGRAM
Our Veterans Programs are provided at no cost to Veterans and their families, for up to 24 weeks based on available funding. We provide unmounted horsemanship programs for physical, emotional, social, recreational and educational gains.
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Programs are offered weekly during our regular program sessions. Check our Program Calendar for the schedule. Sessions may be private or small group, depending on individual goals and horse/instructor availability. We welcome family participation where appropriate and helpful.​
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If you have any questions, please contact our Program Director.
THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT AT SHEPARD MEADOWS
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has made a significant grant to PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International for the purpose of awarding scholarships for equine-assisted services to post-9/11 veterans. Veterans who are interested in participating in services should contact the Wounded Warrior Project directly.
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Each warrior who requests services will first be contacted for a screening call by a member of the WWP Team to determine whether equine-assisted services are appropriate. If approved, WWP will issue an authorization for referral to PATH Intl., who will then forward the referral to Shepard Meadows so the veteran may begin sessions.
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Wounded Warrior Project contact information:
Phone: 1-877-832-6997
HORSES FOR HEROES
"Wisdom Way For Warriors is not about horseback riding; it’s about your relationship with a horse. The beauty of working with our horses is what you discover can be taken home and applied to your everyday life and relationships.” Nancy DeSantis, Co-Founder/Program Director at Horses For Heroes
Shepard Meadows provides Equine Gestalt Coaching for veterans following the Wisdom Way For Warriors model. Equine Gestalt Coaching with horses is unmounted, safe, engaging and requires no previous horse experience. Participants are eligible to receive a grant for three coaching sessions at no cost to them thanks to funding from Horses For Heroes.
https://www.horsesforheroes.org/welcome-home.html
For more information, contact our Program Director.
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