Carolyn shares a laugh with her friend, Kathy, a fellow veteran and friend whom she met through weekly veterans programs at Ironstone Farm
Carolyn, an Air Force Veteran, arrived at Ironstone 3 years ago in search of relief after discharging from the military. While serving, Carolyn developed anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder that began to affect her daily life. Also living with an ADHD diagnosis, Carolyn struggled to find the physical and mental space for emotional healing. After entering Ironstone through a partnership with Manchester VA, Carolyn found an immediate sense of relief. “From the first therapeutic equine session, I knew I was in the right place. The other veterans and our instructor, Dave, made me feel welcome.”
The emotional and behavioral benefits of horsemanship and riding have been critical for Carolyn’s growth. The patience she found in our therapy ponies, in turn, helped her own patience, allowing her to slow down and remain calmer and more focused in daily life.
She has not only found emotional benefits but has also bonded with others who are living with the same feelings and sharing similar experiences from military service. After spending time in our veteran programs, Carolyn now returns each week to ride in our individual group lessons offered to veterans. This progress is also due to the wonderful friendships she has developed in our weekly veteran groups, who also ride regularly at Ironstone Farm.
“From the first therapeutic equine session, I knew I was in the right place.”
Carolyn now aims to pursue certifications to become her own therapeutic riding instructor, as our programs have moved her so much that she now has goals to provide the same healing to others that she found here at Ironstone.
Thanks to the wonderful support of our community members, veterans like Carolyn can return to Ironstone for this continuum of care—finding strength, purpose, connection, and respite during the times it is needed most. “Thank you so much for your generosity. I would not be able to do this without you,” says Carolyn.