veterans

This summer, Valerie Buck and the off-track Thoroughbreds of ACTT Naturally are increasing the number of American veterans benefitting from its Hearts in Harmony program. On Saturday, June 14, in observance of Women Veterans Recognition Days, the New York State Department of Veterans' Services (NYS DVS), in partnership with ACTT Naturally, will host "Wrap Yourself in Wellness" at Long Shadows Farm in Cambridge, N.Y. Between 30 and 45 women veterans are expected to attend. In addition to equine-assisted emotional therapy, participants in the day-long retreat will hear from "Patriot Hills...

In support of local Veterans and retired racehorses, the Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga will host its mid-winter fundraising event at the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill Feb. 27 in support of the organization's Freedom Rein program. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and runs through 10:00 p.m. The event will aim to raise $5,000 to sponsor Veterans or service members for an eight-week Equine Therapy Group. The Freedom Rein program provides therapeutic interactions with retired racehorses, offering participants a unique form of mental health support. Event highlights will include, live...

The racing team at Horseshoe Indianapolis has donated a record $10,582.30 to assist Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Central Indiana, the track announced Wednesday. The team, which holds various fundraisers throughout the year, visited the facility Wednesday to make the official donation to HVAF. "Lending our support to veterans has become very important to our team members and racing fans," said Horseshoe Indy's Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "We saw an immense need from HVAF a few years ago, and the requests and individuals who...

Woodbine Entertainment and Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2H), a group that supports Canadian veterans, reservists, senior cadets, military family members and Afghan interpreters in finding second careers through the construction industry, will partner for the 2024 running of the King's Plate held Aug. 17. The partnership will see H2H recognized as the Official Building Trades Unions Veteran's Liaison and a Canadian veteran will be included in the opening ceremony for the race. "Woodbine is proud to support Helmets to Hardhats and its valuable objectives," said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland....

Hope After Service, a new organization pairing retired racehorses with veterans with PTSD, as well as with autistic children, has been formed in Shawnee, Ok. Founded by disabled veterans Ashton Strader, Robert Whitlow, and Craig Whitlow, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit's mission is "bringing hope, healing, and renewal to veterans, retired racehorses, and communities nationwide." The founders have backgrounds in racing and plan to select retired racehorses to undergo retraining as trusted companions and therapists, offering solace and healing to those in need. Horses in the program not suitable for this work...

For obvious reasons, Mike Cannon has enjoyed the run that Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute) is on. It's not just that he's become a Grade I winner this year, has earned $933,823 in his career or that he is the morning line favorite in Saturday's GII Eddie Read S. at Del Mar. That matters to Cannon, but maybe not as much as the fact that the horse's success has allowed him to pump a large sum of money into a charity he supports, The Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F). While...

Boone McCanna was one of the leading jockey agents in Northern California, and prior to that in Washington, having represented Kevin Krigger, Dennis Carr, and Frank Alvarado among others. A third-generation horseman, McCanna had a vision to combine the tranquility of the his family's horse ranch outside Spokane, where his father would rest his racehorses in the off-season, with off-track Thoroughbreds and veterans in need of relief from the effects of PTSD suffered while serving in combat. In 2014, with the help of Jerry and Janet Hollendorfer, Down The Stretch...

Eagala, a global organization of mental health professionals dedicated to incorporating horses into psychotherapy treatment, celebrated their 20th anniversary with a four-day event hosted at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky this past weekend. The group is dedicated to furthering equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development techniques, focusing specifically on veterans and servicemen suffering from PTSD, as well as suicide prevention, substance abuse recovery and rural mental health issues. On Saturday, Feb. 29, Eagala hosted a live demonstration and panel discussion in partnership with the American Horse Council and the...