A Retreat for Veterans: At Liberty Connections
Horses | Humans | Healing | HOPE
On Friday, March 21, 2025, members of the Auxiliary participated in the support of eight women veterans attending a veterans’ 3-day retreat at the beautiful Willetts Horse Farm in Bolivia, NC. It was such an honor to get these Veterans registered for their weekend and to provide and have lunch for them. We enjoyed finding out where everyone was from and had some great conversations. We are certain they will be changed forever by this awesome program run by At Liberty Connections. The program just gives you so many different perspectives about life and the horses are the icing on the cake.
The retreat is offered to both men and women veterans. As mentioned on their website, they are “committed to providing, non-therapy, trauma-informed and research based equine assisted healing activities. Our events and retreats are designed for veterans and family members who are recovering from anxiety, depression, traumatic events, or high levels of stress.” The program involves discussions as well as time spent in the presence of the horses; riding the horses is optional.
“We believe in the healing power of the horse-human connection. I have experienced it first-hand. Serving in the U.S. Army for 25 years was my greatest honor, but it didn’t come without personal sacrifices. However, it was not until some 20 years after military retirement, that I personally had a amazing experience of learning about myself through interacting with a 1200-pound horse. During 2017-2018, when I was experiencing severe depression and anxiety, I was invited to Ladd Farm (Bridgewater, NH) to participate in an equine assisted experience. It was transformative and it changed my life. As a result of the therapeutic equine assisted sessions I attended, living without fear, anxiety and depression became a real possibility for me.” - Dr. Kathleen Roth, founder.
If you or a veteran(s) you know could use time to decompress, regroup, de-stress or more, contact At Liberty Connections. There is no cost to the veterans who attend.
“As a result of the therapeutic equine assisted sessions I attended, living without fear, anxiety and depression became a real possibility for me.”
