Healing Through Hard Work
Old Lyme, CT- October 30, 2020: Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (V.E.T.S.) and High
Hopes Therapeutic Riding have partnered to pilot a new veteran support program in Old Lyme,
CT. The creation of this pilot program will provide an additional opportunity for local veterans to
experience the benefit of a free therapeutic equine program.
The six-week pilot program meets weekly at the Old Lyme campus of High Hopes and will run
until Veterans Day. Every Wednesday, the diverse group of nine veterans from various
branches of service, several horses and volunteers meet with V.E.T.S. instructors. The vets
learn introductory lessons in horse and life skills that include herd life, horse care and
communication. They also explore trust-based relationships, nonverbal communication skills,
emotional control and management among other critical skills provided by their equine
partners. These skills are directly transferable from the barn setting to everyday life with the
goal of increasing the quality and purpose of life.
V.E.T.S. has been providing support to the veteran community by sharing equine, agriculture and
learning opportunities since 2015. High Hopes has provided therapeutic services in Old Lyme since
1986 and is an internationally recognized PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horseman)
Premier Accredited Center.
VETSCT is currently running program at High hopes and will be accepting applications for veterans to participate.
If you are interested please contact Craig McCalister Educational Director – craigmccalister@vetsct.org
For more information, visit vetsct.org or highhopestr.org.
