Veteran & Spouse Retreat June 1, 2024

We conducted our 1st Veteran and Spouse Retreat on June 1, 2024 at Willetts Horse Farm, Bolivia, NC. This retreat was another successful veteran event and all participants confirmed that their lives were positively impacted as a result of attending.

We had three couples attend and a group of three single women resulting in a total nine people.

Anna LaRue (Patriot Roofing) performed duties of Lead EA, Lauren Cryan (Seabreeze Horse Connection) provided two sessions of Liberty Horsemanship; Linda Dennehy provided demonstration of The Masterson Method; and Deb Shumate, LCMHC, (Clear Skies Grief and Trauma Therapy) provided mental health support.

Attendees were treated to all the activities scheduled on the agenda and all participated in all options. Scheduled activities included herd observation, in hand leading of horses, and an obstacle course where the veterans and their spouses navigated while walking with their horses.

Continental breakfast and lunch were provided onsite for all retreat attendees, key staff, volunteers, EAs, and horse owners. Body scans and personal assessment were done periodically throughout the retreat. We closed out with exit survey completion, group discussion of retreat highlights, and closing ceremonies.

New activities added to this retreat included driving with a mini horse, and demonstration (with veteran involvement) of The Masterson Method.

We thank our hosts, Guy and Carol Willetts, and our sponsor, Brunswick Charitable Sheriff Foundation and Coastal Golf Cars for their generous donations. At Liberty Connections is grateful for our collaborators including Seabreeze Horse Connection, Clear Skies Grief and Trauma Therapy, and all the equine advocates who volunteered to provide access to their equine partners during the retreat.

Here are some of the comments:
“Learned new strategies to deal with anxiety in myself and others”;
“I would certainly recommend ALC to any/all veterans. Empowering someone to heal on multiple levels, is the greatest gift anyone can give or receive “;
“I came away with new coping skills for my anxiety”;
“…the retreat helped lower my stress level. It also helped me in my relationship with my spouse”;
“I did not feel threatened. I felt acceptance and able to be honest with myself and others. I did not have to fake it”;
“Beautiful experience and the quietness of the outdoors brought me peace”;
“My favorite activity was the buggy driving and also the obstacle course – walking and leading the horse. I was in charge where right now in my life, I’m not in charge”; and 
“Their [the horses] beauty and energy have such a calming effect. Just the sight of them brings instant relief and calm”.