Veteran & First Responder Program
VFR Program Mission Statement
To foster community, confidence, and communication through equine-assisted activities for active duty military, veterans, and first responders.
Equine-Assisted Services for Uniformed Service Members
Healing with Horses Ranch is proud to offer adaptive riding & equine-assisted learning services completely free of charge to uniformed service members of all types. Participants develop a bond of partnership through horsemanship & riding, focusing on improving communication, reintegration techniques, and coping skills.
When veterans & first responders arrive at Healing with Horses Ranch, many carry the unseen weight of service-related stress, trauma, or transition. Whether from combat zones, emergency scenes, or prolonged exposure to trauma, re-adjusting to everyday life can be difficult. We recognize how isolating that time can feel, especially when physical & emotional challenges don’t explicitly show up on a medical chart. Our equine-assisted programs offer a steady, non-judgmental space where connection, regulation, and trust can begin to rebuild. Thanks to the support of our community, veterans & first responders receive these services at no cost, ensuring that asking for help never comes with a financial barrier.
In each session, bonding activities are designed so the horse looks to the participant for guidance and a sense of safety. This shifts the focus away from stress and onto the present moment. Participants build trust & connection through subtle, nonverbal communication rooted in patience & consistency. That relationship helps regulate emotions & encourages confidence, often leading to faster recovery or better adaptation to conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Each horse & participant work together on relaxation, memory, patience, confidence, physical wellness, and focus. These skills extend far beyond the arena and into daily life.
Meet Our Herd
Healing with Horses Ranch is a PATH International Premier Riding Center. Our instructors & equine specialists, all of whom are PATH certified, believe deeply in the transformative power of the horse-human connection, and the ability for individuals from all backgrounds to improve their emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities.
The horses, our greatest teachers, are the center of our team. We partner with a variety of breeds, shapes, and personalities of horses to meet the diverse needs of our riders. Every member of our herd is part of the family for life. In 2025, we became an equine sanctuary, which means each horse will live out their days here, whether or not they’re actively involved in programs. While we are not a rescue, once an equine is here, they can rest assured that this is their forever home.
A Standard of Excellence
Healing with Horses Ranch is affiliated with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, which delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed services led by certified professionals. PATH certifies & accredits centers, instructors, and equine specialists using field-tested standards for safety, ethics, and effectiveness. To become certified, instructors must complete a series of continuing education, fulfill student teaching requirements, and pass both written & practical exams.
Originally founded in 2011 as a PATH-compliant center by Patty D’Andrea, an Advanced Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor & Certified Equine Specialist, Healing with Horses Ranch held the first session in January 2012. Just six years later, a voluntary peer review earned the organization status as a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, which has been maintained annually since 2018. This designation recognizes the Ranch for upholding PATH’s highest standards & enables us to train other centers toward the same goals.