BRAVEHEARTS THERAPEUTIC RIDING AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER

Our son has had great results from his PT at BraveHearts! We have seen his confidence improve along with his balance. The staff and volunteers are great with him. It has been a wonderful part of his growing process. Thank you so much!

Tom, Beth and Jake

Enlisting during wartime was the most courageous decision I made in 2006. I recall expressing my desire to serve for 20 years and retire to the Army recruiter. My contract was for 4 years of active duty.

After being injured while on the state side, I was discharged without fully recovering. I struggled with untreated PTSD for years, attempting suicide, failing to maintain relationships, and becoming isolated from everyone.

In an effort to seek help, I visited Bravehearts alongside the VA team. My first experience at Bravehearts was nothing short of incredible, as I felt a sense of freedom from my emotional numbness, a deep sense of safety, and a renewed presence in the moment.

On Veterans Day, I rode a horse named Winston, to whom I made a promise to never attempt suicide again, extending to Winston and all the horses past and present at Bravehearts.

BraveHearts has changed my families lives. Not only has my daughter and my horsemanship and knowledge grown thanks to the staff and instructors. But our confidence in our everyday life has also improved thanks to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. I was able to introduce another veteran that is a father to the farms yesterday. To see the calm come over his face and to hear the excitement in his voice reminded me of exactly how I feel every time I go to the farms.

I am a veteran/volunteer at Bravehearts. It is by far one of the best decisions of my life because it saved my life. I got out of the Army and didn't know what to do. I lost a chunk of my identity and felt lost and helpless. But, all of that changed the moment I got on a horse. There is something about the horses that just know what you need and when. I've gone through some things since I have been back and alot of things changed, but the one thing that has stayed constant throughout my time has been Bravehearts.

Visiting BraveHearts I was drawn by the altruistic spirit of the people and the beauty of the horses. I’ve found a new way to feel useful and productive while getting enjoyable physical exercise. I clean stalls, lead horses in and out and sidewalk for those who need it. Gifted therapists coax children with disabilities to increase their skills, coordination, range of motion and confidence while enjoying the rhythm of the ride. Veterans come and get away from it all in the company of seasoned trainers and other vets. I gladly give time and money to BraveHearts.

I started with BraveHearts in February 23. It and all the precious souls…horse and human alike…have changed my life in the best way! I became a volunteer because I want to help continue this blessing of hope and healing through the horse, and love and experience each member of BraveHearts Team brings, that have helped so many people. Therapeutic Riding, EAP, Trail to Zero and all the different programs BraveHearts provides needs to continue!
Maureen M.

I became a volunteer at BraveHearts because I believed in their mission and wanted to become part of this wonderful organization.
BraveHearts is the largest healing horsemanship program in the nation. BraveHearts offers a comprehensive program for military veterans and their families at no cost. In addition, BraveHearts assists children and adults who have physical and developmental disabilities. Clinicians support those in need by offering hippotherapy as well as non-equine outpatient services in speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Through the healing power of horses, BraveHearts brings hope and many possibilities to those who participate in the programs that are offered.

I have been with BraveHearts for over seven years. I volunteer there, my husband works there, and we both receive services there. We believe in their mission to serve veterans and others with disabilities through the healing powers of the horse! God has given these amazing creatures, some awesome qualities and we have seen and personally experienced life-changing events and miracles!!

This is my 11th year volunteering with BraveHearts. The work they do is crucial for the participants, whether they are veterans, therapeutic riding students, or hippotherapy clients. The staff, instructors and therapists are all incredibly knowledgeable, excellent at their jobs, caring, kind and dedicated to helping others. The horses are the highlight of this program. They seem to have an instinctual ability to assess their rider, and give the support that participant needs. Volunteering here is an incredibly rewarding experience. There are so many facets to running a therapeutic center, and to be able to see the progress made week to week by the participants is truly amazing. This program is run in a very profession manner, and there are trainings and continuing education opportunities offered several times a month. It is truly the best part of my week, going to the barn and working with this amazing herd of incredible horses.

My wife & I decided to go to the volunteer training session and then decide if we wanted to volunteer or not. After that one session we were hooked. We love working with the horses. The staff and other volunteers are fantastic. The progress people make is obvious. But like we often say, I don’t know who gets more out of this, the participant or us.

Bravehearts is a fantastic organization that is committed to veterans and disabled. I can say that their form of therapy really does work. I have seen a number of children and adults filled with excitement with wide grins on their face while riding. The volunteers and instructors are also so patient with riders and committed to helping them feel safe and comfortable. Not only that they also are excellent at making sure the barns are clean and safe for everyone as well as taking excellent care of their horses.

I have been a volunteer with Bravehearts for six years. The dedication and commitment by staff and volunteers is among the highest I have seen while volunteering for non profits. Their commitment to excellence in serving and caring for their clients, veterans and herd is remarkable. When you enter their facilities you can feel the energy and excitement for the work they do.

Committed, talented people helping individuals and families learn, grow, and heal through the power of the Equine and Nature. Their dedication to serving Veterans inspires both individuals and communities to find ways to be more involved in the lives of those who served their Country. From Board leadership to their Volunteers, BraveHearts is a trusted, valued partner in this journey of healing and transformation.

Bravehearts is amazing for every single person! there are so many opportunities for everyone. from riding to volunteering to even donating is what makes bravehearts as amazing as it is! all the staff and volunteers there as so nice and very welcoming.

At first my two daughters, 16 and 17, were skeptical about horses and reluctant about engaging with horses. Now they can’t wait to go back each week.

Traumatic military experiences left me struggling with PTSD, major depression, and anxiety. The VA referred me to BraveHearts in 2017. I had been on meds and in counseling for years, but it never helped enough.

At BraveHearts I found that working with horses was the key I needed. The horses are my mirrors – reflecting back whatever I’m putting out, whether its fear, anger, and anxiety or a sense of confidence, harmony and positive energy. They have taught me how to step back and recognize where my head and emotions are, and to stay aware and in the moment. They have been catalysts for positive change and growth, and also for a sense of healing. On bad days I may arrive at the barn not wanting to think or feel anything anymore, but when I leave I feel recharged and recentered with enough joy, balance, and peace of mind to face the world again, to keep fighting, and not give in to the darkness.

I ride there every week, am on the drill team, I ride in other special events like Trail to Zero, and I also benefit from the equine assisted psychotherapy, all at no cost to me.

The people and horses at BraveHearts have carried me through some of the worst times of my life, and have been part of some of the best times in my life. With them I have progressed from a novice horseman to being a certified therapeutic riding instructor and I am now able to assist fellow veterans and others through teaching. I feel a sense of belonging at BraveHearts that I have not felt since the military and I know without a doubt that the people there have my back. I am so grateful for everything this organization does, and blessed to be able to participate.

BraveHearts is hands down the best Equine Assisted Therapy program around! The staff are so encouraging, knowledgeable and supportive. The horses are the absolute best there are! I don't know what I would do without BraveHearts in my life. The opportunities that are presented to us veterans are mind blowing and once in a lifetime!

There isn’t enough space on this page to write about this amazing organization. From working with their staff members, to riding with these amazing veterans during the Bravehearts Shootout in Fort Worth, Texas was an honor. Behind every story is a hero. Each individual that I encountered had different needs, and Bravehearts made sure that those needs were met. If you are in need of therapy of a different source, this may have your name written all over it. Give it a chance. Contact them and let them help you. Friendships were formed that will last a lifetime.

Bravehearts is a great organization that helps out many veterans. Being able to join them and be part of the Braveheart family is amazing. I was able to meet many veterans that have experienced similar events as I. This organization has helped many deal with personal issues that could have been devastating if Bravehearts did not come into their lives. Having the opportunity to ride with the veterans and Braveheart staff has helped me look at life in a better and more positive way. Meggan, Amber and Jeanna make this organization run smoothly. Because of Bravehearts I was able to meet many good people in this years Bravehearts Shootout in Ft. Wort Texas. Thank you all so much for letting me be part of this special family!

BraveHearts offers innovative programs with horses to veterans that transform their lives. They are number one in the country in effectiveness and making a lasting impact.

BraveHearts has helped thousands of vets with their first class equine program. I have watched vets with smiles on their faces and warmth in their heart as they tell of the power of the horse to rescue them from the recesses of darkness brought on by their service to our country.

Obviously, maintaining a horse is an expensive endeavor. I have been blessed by my small contributions to BraveHearts more than any in my lifetime. The organization is both efficient and effective from top to bottom.

I have been blessed to meet and know Meggan. She is totally dedicated, incredibly hard working and passoniate about the mission of BraveHearts. The respect and love she receives from the vets is obvious.

It is rare to find a combination of great mission, admirably executed, grateful constituents and dedicated staff. BraveHeats checks all those boxes.

Friendly staff and so beneficial to our son’s speech journey! Great to work with and responsive.

I was introduced to Bravehearts 5 years ago at a Colin Powell event. My wife and I subsequently became volunteers and since I’m a Veteran I could learn to ride and my wife could also ride, both for free. I had never been around, much less on, a horse in my life . The first time I groomed a horse I was struck by how calm and relaxed I was as I spent time with the horse. Subsequently, I found myself spending more and more time with the horses. Their amazing ability to instill a sense of peace, in even the most uncertain Veteran is a blessing. My stress level went down and my horsemanship got better, I saw many success stories among the at risk Veterans we served. In 2017 I lost my only son to an overdose at 28. The darkness I experienced was overwhelming and the only relief I found was to spend 4 months daily with the horses. I talked and walked and cried with the horses and they were soothing and calm and quietly responsive. They literally saved my life. That experience motivated me to become an instructor so I could share with other Veterans the experience of connecting with the healing power of the horse. I am eternally grateful to Bravehearts for providing me with an opportunity to serve my fellow Veterans in such a worthwhile manner.

BRAVEHEARTS TR and Education Center does an excellent job reaching out to veterans through equine-assisted services. They have brought awareness to veteran suicide through strategic public 20 mile trail rides through major cities like New York, Chicago and Washington D.C. (and other sites). Last year during COVID, they hosted a virtual horse show for veterans around the country and it was free. They have a great outreach for the veteran population but Braveheart serve others like children with disabilities through equine-assisted services.

For the past 10+ years, I have seen how Bravehearts has helped so many children, adults, and family members. They are such a blessing to the community and beyond. I have spoken to countless family members and clients who have been irrevocably changed for the better after working with the horses. The care and compassion the staff, volunteers, and therapists have is reflected in the people they serve. There is a special bond that forms between you and the horse; and you can hear the excitement in the voices that will tell you all about it!

BraveHearts has been my happy place for the past four years. I started out as a volunteer and then learned about their Veteran riding program and I currently am now an employee. The mission of serving veterans and making others aware about the veteran suicide pandemic is near and dear to my heart. This place saves lives through the healing power of the horse and the people that make it all happen.

BraveHearts is in the business of healing bodies and souls. The dedicated people at BraveHearts accomplish that goal every day.

I had the opportunity to work with Bravehearts through the NeuroBalance Center for 10 weeks. It was one of the best experiences I have had!! Meghan was actually teaching me how to ride a horse. It was amazing!! And my horse’s name was Hank. He was a beautiful horse! And I cannot forget to mention my side walkers. They were wonderful ladies. I will never forget everybody at Bravehearts!!

This is absolutely the best no for profit organization ever. The veterans who come here to get themselves back leave with new friends and a better confidence level. I love being a part of their transformations.

I have volunteered at BraveHearts for three years now, and I can't say enough good things about this organization. The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, and the volunteers are like a family. Each horse is exceptional. I'd argue that BraveHearts has the best herd of therapy horses in the world. Every aspect of BraveHearts is organized, clean, and professional, meaning clients get the very best service. The BraveHearts staff and volunteers care deeply about the organization and its goals.

I am a current volunteer for Bravehearts. I enjoy volunteering at this organization. The staff and other volunteers are very passionate in helping And supporting individuals with disabilities, and veterans by utilizing the benefits of a horse. I look forward to going to Bravehearts because of the amazing, encouraging and uplifting staff and other volunteers I have had the opportunity to work with. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of such a wonderful organization that has helped to improve and impact the lives of so many participants.

There is a certain feeling you get when you come to BraveHearts. It's the feeling of acceptance and understanding, compassion and hope, encouragement and support. It's the feeling of quiet happiness, experiencing people healing their hearts, their minds and their bodies with the help of beautiful, intuitive horses, who somehow know exactly what each person needs most.

When I started volunteering with BraveHearts, my intent was to help other people. I had no idea how volunteering would enrich my own life. I am so grateful to be part of the BraveHearts family. It is truly like none other!

Ardie Willoughby
Volunteer since 2008 - Leader, Mentor, Exercise Rider

I have been a volunteer with Bravehearts for over 5 years. I started off as a sidewalker and since have become a registered leader 2. I discovered Bravehearts when looking for a way to fulfill my mandatory community service hours, but I soon realized it was much more than that. I formed bonds with the horses and participants. The staff and my fellow volunteers became like family to me. I am currently a nursing student at St Anthony College of nursing and I have a huge passion for helping others especially kids. I hope to become a pediatric nurse when I graduate and working at Bravehearts with children with special needs has given me insight into what caring for someone really means. It isn’t just about the treatments, it’s about connecting with the patients on an individual level and helping to heal them spiritually too. Watching the horses connect to kids and people of all ages is an amazing thing to witness . At the start of the lesson some of the participants may have extreme anxiety or have a lot of tension built up due to being in pain or other circumstances. The horses help to take that away from them and move their minds to a different place when they connect as one. Bravehearts is a very special place to me and has taught me the meaning of animals, especially horses in our lives. They bring the community together and positively impact the lives of many.

I am so grateful my VA Doc referred me to Bravehearts in 2019. I was facing some challenges and found a safe haven with the horses. I had many horses throughout my life, winning belt buckle competitions, numerous ribbons, trophies, etc. But—- at this point in my life - I needed healing. Bravehearts is helping me heal.

Very patient. Gentle horses. Great environment! Staff always smiling and cheerful!

I started volunteering in 2014 after seeing a very heart warming news special about what BraveHearts does. I've found my home and my heart in volunteering. Seeing regular riders improve, having the honor of working with veterans, getting to witness miracles every day, and the joy of working with the most amazing horses in the world.

What’s not to love about BraveHearts? They have a highly experienced staff which is supported by dedicated therapists and caring volunteers. That winning combination of people results in the best possible experience for the participants!

Bravehearts is not your average nonprofit. It’s a family working together to help each and every person who walks through their doors find a little more joy in their day and hope in their hearts. Bravehearts not only provides a safe and educational place to learn and grow but fosters an environment that allows everyone to find their own journey to healing and hope. Whether a participant or a volunteer, Bravehearts goes above and beyond to make everyone’s visit to the farm a positive experience.

Bravehearts is an amazing nonprofit organization, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center has helped many students and has helped me as a Volunteer to learn new things from each horse and each instructor and each person that is there. Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center is a big happy family and I’m so blessed to be able to volunteer and be there with many people and great horses! ❤️ The horses are very sweet and you can create a bond with each and every one of the horses.

Can't say enough good about Bravehearts and there are not enough words to describe the compassion and how Bravehearts have given their time and things they have done for my son to learn more things helpful usefful with his therapeutic riding. Bravehearts goes above beyond to give back to all our veterans in our nation. May the Lord continue to bless Bravehearts and their entire staff above and beyond measure!

I have been a volunteer at Bravehearts since 2016 and have loved every minute I am in the Barn or Arena. As a volunteer who has set sessions I have watched over the past four years certain clients grow and make great strides in their Therapy sessions. There are many events that Bravehearts holds during the year but the most inspirational event of all is the Equine Special Olympics. It is a wonderful two day event that you will leave with a smile as you have watched these participants do their best and compete in the Arena. There are Veterans who come to Bravehearts from all over the country to start their Equine Therapy at no charge to them or their families. There are many success stories but one of the more serious issues that Bravehearts is trying to bring awareness to is that 20 Veterans commit suicide every day. The Trail To Zero is held in Washington D.C., New York City and this year they will add Sweet Home Chicago as the last ride. In September over the course of three weeks 20 Braveheart Veterans travel and will ride through these cities. It is a horrible epidemic that needs to be eradicated. If Bravehearts can help save one Veteran at a time they have made this mission a success. I am proud to be a part of this awesome organization and all they do,

BraveHearts is a great way to serve our veteran community as well as the hippo therapy community. As a volunteer I’ve been there for roughly 3-4 years and I’ve enjoyed my time there immensely. The people are fun to work with, the horses are amazing and it’s just so great to see all that we can accomplish when we pull together. To be able to participate and help out with the Special Olympics is just a feather in our cap. To get to watch the athletes perform it is just so rewarding as you see them grow.

I have been volunteering at BraveHearts for more than 8 years. The equine therapy service provided is outstanding and results in amazing, sometimes miraculous, outcomes for clients.

As a volunteer, I get way more than I give. I benefit on a spiritual, emotional and physical level. Also, my love and knowledge of horses continues to grow.

You really have to visit and see it in person to truly understand equine therapy. So come out and visit BraveHearts....like me, you might never leave!!

Bill Brokaw

Bravehearts helps my daughter with special needs and serves me as a veteran. They are a class "A" organization. I am so glad our family found them. It is so great to hear how they have helped combat veterans after their service to our great nation!

I started with BraveHearts about 3 years ago,being a Veteran i was there just to ride and after a few months i started to Volunteer .It has given me such a pleasure to work with the Veterans and to see difference it makes to them.I am very grateful to BraveHearts to let me help out with my fellow Vet's and to be involved with the program.

I started going to Bravehearts when my adopted daughters counselor recommended it for her. As a veteran I can ride free and take her with me. It has been a year or so and I am hooked. I enjoy working with the horses, I ride, sidewalk, and lead. It is good therapy for my PTSD and also a time to be with my daughter doing something fun for both of us.

Bravehearts is the one thing that my daughter looks forward to each week. It makes her smile and she talks about it with everybody. Her instructor and the volunteers that walk with her are awesome!

My son has Down Syndrome and has been riding at Bravehearts for several years. He has become a talented rider participating in Special Olympics. Thanks to all of these special people, the volunteers, trainers and coaches, we have been blessed to have this organization in Illinois. Thank you Bravehearts.
God bless all of you!! We love you!!

My son, Eric, is a client at Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding. He is disabled and absolutely loves riding! He looks forward to riding as the best activity he has all week. Eric has been riding a horse for nearly 20 years; at Bravehearts for the last several years. It is a wonderful organization with countless devoted and amazing volunteers. Everyone makes my son feel like he is the only person around.

This is a great organization! I am a veteran who just started lessons with a family member and we both love it!

My husband, a veteran, and son, disabled, have been going to Bravehearts for a little over a year. Already they are part of a true family of staff, volunteers and participants. There is a wide variety of programs and so many family activities. We are blessed to be a part.

BH provides exceptional therapy to military veterans with all disabilities.

BraveHearts has saved my life! I was sent to BraveHearts from a VA inpatient mental health program. I couldn't work, couldn't sleep, couldn't take care of myself, I couldn't even talk or be around my own family. I was suicidal, completely numb to the whole world. I knew nothing about horses when I arrived at BraveHearts. I would never believed horses would change my life. Through the horses and the great people at BraveHearts I not only was saved but I enjoy life again. I am closer to my family than I have been it years. I not only can talk to people again but have become a PATH Instructor and teach Horsemanship at BraveHearts. I truly love this program. I recently was hired as the Barn Manager at BraveHearts its like a dream come true. I do not think of my job as work its therapy and my life improves daily. The best thing about it is seeing all the staff, volunteers, and the people we serve grown and heal in their own way. BraveHearts helps everyone that walks through the door. The horses save or improve lives every day. It is an amazing organization! There is always more to do more people to save and we need everyone's help to make that happen. If you ever thought of give to an organization BraveHearts will get you the most return for you donation. Your donation will save lives!

Ron Hathaway
MSgt USAF retired

I think that BraveHearts is a well organized nonprofit riding and educational center. Everyone there are very friendly, volunteers and paid employees. I think what they do is extraordinary and it shows through the participants, volunteers, and employees. To me it is very therapeutic just volunteering and being able to help whenever I can.

I have been a volunteer with the Bravehearts organization for three years. It is a very rewarding experience to work with all of the clients and horses on a weekly basis. It is great to see the progress of the clients in the Hippotherapy classes from week to week. I feel like I get so much more out of my volunteer work than I contribute and have met so many wonderful people along the way. Bravehearts is a great place to volunteer and give something back to the community. The Veterans Program is a phenomenal program for the brave Men & Women and their families who have served our great country. It is my honor to be a volunteer with such a wonderful organization and to be able to help so many people.

Volunteering at BraveHearts has been such a blessing for me. I have been able to experience how the both the veterans and the mustangs help each other heal and regain their confidence. Although we often receive a ‘thank you’ from the participants, it is I who must thank them. They allow me to give back and to share a love and passion that I have. There is nothing better than watching them smile, laugh and as one participant said “get out of my head for at least an hour or two”. The staff and other volunteers – along with the therapists from the VA centers – really do work miracles. The continued training we receive as volunteers helps to better serve our clients in both the therapeutic riding and Hippotherapy programs. I am proud to be part of the BraveHearts team!

As a volunteer and board member, I could not be more proud of my association with BraveHearts. The organization exists because of a great need to serve our veterans as well as others who greatly benefit from the healing our horses provide.
The staff and volunteers are the most dedicated group and along with our horses, our greatest asset. Their many hours of service make the organization what it is.

When you see the positive change in the participants physically, emotionally and socially, you are able to see and appreciate all the benefits BraveHearts offers first hand. I know our participants would tell you the same if asked.

It is a rewarding experience all around to be part of something so powerful. We plan to grow and continuously improve in all areas of BraveHearts with the continued support of our most generous donors and supporters.

Kathy Allegretti
BraveHearts Board

Before I let, you know what BraveHearts has meant to me. I would like to tell you a little about myself and my conditions I had when I arrived at BraveHearts. I am 53 years old, I served 24 years active duty with the United States Air Force. I was deployed numerous times for both training and deployments five of which were combat deployments. I retired at in 2007 at the rank of Master Sergeant. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, manic depression, severe anxiety disorder, and migraines. To deal with these I take a number of medications and isolate myself. I took a job working for a call center troubleshooting phone, television, and internet issues in 2007. The position paid very well about $34 an hour with lots of benefits. Before long, I started calling into work sick because I could not handle working 40 hours a week. Calling in sick and my vacation time still was not enough so I started to isolate myself whenever I could. I moved a recliner out into my garage and would spent most of my time there alone. This worked for the about the first 4 years and by this time I was almost completely isolated even from my family, but things continued to get worse. At this point, I turned to elective surgery and allowed the wound site to get infected so I could take extended time off of work. I know that was not very smart but I was very desperate by this time. I continued to call in sick and worked the system to get as much time off as I could. I just could not handle working anymore. March of 2014 I signed myself in to an inpatient mental health program. I did not think it would help at all but it would get me another 60 days out of work and another month of reduced hours and duty after I returned to work. At this point, I was working very hard every day not to even see other people let alone talk to anyone. I was almost completely isolated, I could not work, I could not go out, I could not even be around or talk to my family. I was no longer caring for myself. I did not shower, shave, change my clothes, or even brush my teeth. If it were not for my retirement and disability pay, I would have lost my house. My Family knew they were better off just leaving me along. I was in impossible to deal with. Dawn (my wife) finally could not take it anymore and asked me to get some help. The VA strongly suggested that I go to the DOM and try to develop some skills to deal with all my issues. I only went to the DOM because Dawn suggested I go. I could not make any decisions for myself anymore. Someone would have to tell me what to do. I could no longer think straight or concentrate and I could barely talk to people. I was in consent pain from muscle tension and stress. Life pretty much sucked but I did not really want to change anything about it because I did not want to deal with anything. I was no longer part of anything and often wondered why I was still around and wished I had died in combat. I was about as low as you can go when I entered my inpatient program.
I was sent to BraveHearts as part of my inpatient program. When they brought the horses out this time I was astonishing, I could really see their beauty and could not wait to ride. This time while ridding I could hear Paddy and wanted to follow his lead and do all the things he was asking of me just right to show him I cared. Holy crap I cared, I did not even know I could do that anymore but I really did care. I felt really good and I wanted to feel that way more often. This time I felt part of the horse but also part of the group. . That was the first time I could remember feeling like a person again it would forever change me.
I now started to spread the word of this great place called BraveHearts where the horses are so beautiful and everyone has a heart of gold. I wanted everyone to be a part of what I was doing and how I felt now. It was just too good to keep to myself. From that time on, I started to take part in my classes at the DOM really trying to learn how I could make my life better. I started talking to my wife and family and letting them talk to me. I started to feel my life could be more than a chair in the garage and a cigar. I started to feel like I did not need to isolate and be alone. That I may even be worth something and my life could have meaning. I could go on, on about the things Meggan, Paddy, the horses, and the BraveHearts staff have taught me, and how they have helped me. Like when they asked me to be an instructor and what Meggan did for Mary that nigh in the barn, words could never express what BreaveHearts means to me. However, I will tell you because of BreaveHearts I am now going to school full time and getting straight A’s. I have made the Dean’s list two semesters in a roll. I no longer have a chair out in the garage and I am again part of my family. I feel my family’s love and their kindness because I let them back in and I only let them back in because of BraveHearts. I now go places, do things again, and for the most part enjoy life. I still have many hurdles to overcome and may never get over some of them but now I am at least trying. With BraveHearts help, I am now a PATH Therapeutic Riding Instructor. BraveHearts has had the courage to see potential in me when I felt I had nothing to give. They have taught me to live in the moment and not dwell on my mistakes and shortcomings. When I fail, they are the first ones there to pick me back up and challenge me to try again. I have so much more to learn from BraveHearts through the people, horseback riding, and Operation Mustang and they are ready to help me achieve my wildest dreams. I am proud I can now give back to others in need and I hope I can help others recognize their endless potential. The BraveHearts experience has transformed me from a man who could have won hermit of the year, to a person that knows I have so much to give and that I can help others back into the real world through the power of therapeutic riding and Operation Mustang. I have gone from wishing I had died to a person that is looking for the next challenge no matter what it is. More than that, I want to help others face their fears and defeat those fears. For the first time in my life I BELIEVE I can do anything. BraveHearts has saved my life and I will be forever grateful.

My name is Mary B and I am a veteran of the United States Army and know personally how a horse can save and change lives of people in particular the military. In order for these miracles of healing and absolute life to occur there has to be a place that provides the horses, people, kindness, support, love, patience and understanding and I know by experience that BraveHearts is that place. I have been at other therapeutic riding centers in several states and BraveHearts exceeds the other facilities because of their true dedication, determination, professional in very broad terms seeing the big picture but more importantly to me they make the individual feel validated wherever they may be on their journey. It is difficult for some veterans (me as one) to trust or believe in something or someone again and BraveHearts provides this vital piece to a recovery. I have seen how BraveHearts reaches out to other centers throughout the world for collaboration, to teach and to learn from others. BraveHearts is well respected in their professional world and I feel fortunate to be a part of that world.