Our Mission

“To provide healing therapeutic services to the broad veteran community through equine, agricultural and educational engagement.”

Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (V.E.T.S.) provides equine-assisted programs to veterans with physical, cognitive and emotional challenges. Our veterans enjoy improvements in many aspects of life from strength, flexibility and balance to cognitive, behavioral and emotional well-being. A  501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in southeastern Connecticut, V.E.T.S. mission is to provide healing therapeutic services to the veteran community through equine and educational engagement.

V.E.T.S TEAM

CRAIG MCCALISTER
CRAIG MCCALISTEROur Late Founder
1968-2023
THOR TORGERSEN
THOR TORGERSENCo-Founder - Executive Director - Lead Instructor
CHRISTINA CLARK
CHRISTINA CLARKCo-Founder
Patrick Sullivan
Patrick SullivanBoard President, U.S. Navy Veteran
NIKO ALEVRAS
NIKO ALEVRASBoard Vice President, Veteran Outreach, Greek Military Veteran
JAMES COTTRELL
JAMES COTTRELLBoard Treasurer, U.S. Army Veteran
Zach Nielsen
Zach NielsenBoard Secretary, Active Duty U.S. Navy

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD 

ELI BROOKS
ELI BROOKSU.S. Army Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Ruck Up Outdoor School Instructor
DAVID MORRIS
DAVID MORRISNavy Veteran, Author, Trauma Advocate, Suicide Survivor, Public Speaker
ETHAN PALMER
ETHAN PALMERU.S.N.A., Navy Veteran, ICF and IDBF U.S National Team Athlete, Dragonboat

Honor

Duty

Courage

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Helen Keller

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

Colin Powell

Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.

Horace

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A horse is a thing of beauty… none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor.