CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — Leah Brown thinks there’s something special about equine therapy.

“The relationship between people and horses is pretty incredible and horses are so responsive to our talking, to our emotions, to how we're feeling that day,” Brown said.


What You Need To Know

  • Fieldstone Farm is a therapeutic riding center

  • They're hosting their first Veterans Community Open House on July 1

  • Veterans, active military, reserves and their families are invited

Brown volunteers at Fieldstone Farm, a therapeutic riding center. She helps with their programming for veterans because she said she has personal ties to the group.

“Well, I'm a veteran myself and I am married to a veteran,” Brown said.

For five years, Brown served as a nurse in the Navy. She encourages other members of the military to check out their Veterans Community Open House to test out of some of their programming. It’s being coordinated by Dr. Aviva Vincent, the farm’s director of program quality.

“You're going to have the opportunity to see demos of our carriage driving, therapeutic riding of [sic] our round pen demo, and then also meet our minis,” Dr. Vincent said.

Veterans will also get the chance to learn about how horses can provide peace through mindfulness.

“Close your eyes, feel his tail,” Dr. Vincent instructed as Brown rested her head on the horse during an exercise.

At the event, several outreach groups will also be on site.

“We have about 12 different community organizations from Broken Arrow [Veterans Center], which is for getaways and fun activities. [The] Warrior’s Journey Home [sic] is leading a healing circle. We have Parma Vet Center, and the [Volunteers of America], and Geauga County [Veterans] Services making sure that veterans are linked to the services that they deserve," Dr. Vincent said.

 

Vincent said the Veteran's Service Commission of Summit County, the Cuyahoga County Veterans Services Commission and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will be there with the prosthetics department.

Veterans, active military, reserves and their families are all invited.

“If you've never been around horses before, that's completely OK. We can start there,” Dr. Vincent said. “If you have lots of experience and the round pen is really where you feel connected. We'll get there, too.”

Brown said she’s excited for more veterans to know about this resource.

“This place is so special. I also just hope that the veterans and their families realize that there's another resource for them that is free,” Brown said.

The open house is on July 1, with programming beginning around 3:30 p.m.