Veterans at Orlando VA Community Living Center (CLC) Find Healing and Peace Through Local Equine Therapy Center

The experience brought more than fresh air; it offered tranquility, joy, and meaningful connections with two special horses: Halo, a majestic Percheron thoroughbred, and Huckleberry, a gentle paint pony.

The outing was part of the CLC’s ongoing recreation therapy programming, designed at enhancing the emotional and mental well-being of Veterans through unique experiences.

“We invited our CLC Veterans to the equestrian center for an opportunity to meet and visit with the horses here at the ranch,” said Gail Motes, Supervisor Recreation Therapist with the Orlando VA. 

Motes added, “It can mean many things—for both the animals and the Veterans. There’s so much to gain just from being out here. The benefits range from self-awareness to relaxation to overall mental health.”

As the Veterans approached the horses, the atmosphere shifted—quiet smiles, soft conversations, and peaceful petting replaced the usual daily routine. Many found the interaction deeply personal and grounding.

“One of the Veterans said it best,” Motes recalled. “The horses just seem to know. They come up, approach gently, and they understand. It’s a very heartfelt interaction between the two.”

For Navy Veteran Pat Rudd, the visit was a nostalgic journey back in time.

“I’m feeling like I’m back on a farm,” Rudd said as she stood beside Halo, gently stroking the horse’s mane.

“They’re beautiful—just beautiful. This reminds me of when we had horses on our farm growing up. Everybody in the family enjoyed them, and they worked right alongside us. It’s something I treasure,” Rudd reminisced.

Rudd expressed that being near the horses brought a sense of peace that words barely capture.

“There’s a tranquility in petting them, just being close,” Rudd said. “It helps you relive a part of your life—and I’m just thankful I can still enjoy things like this.”

That sense of calm and connection is exactly what the team at Freedom Ride hopes each visitor experiences. Karen Boebinger, Head Instructor at the facility, has seen it countless times, yet never stops appreciating the impact.

“We are always so grateful to welcome Veterans here,” Boebinger said.

Boebinger further added, “This is a way for us to give back for all they’ve given. Just spending a little time with these thousand-pound gentle creatures in a peaceful setting—it gives everyone a chance to breathe.”

Boebinger noted that the therapeutic exchange isn’t one-sided.

“It really works both ways,” Boebinger commented.

Boebinger elaborated, “The horses benefit too. They learn to interact with people of all backgrounds, all needs. Whether our visitors are older, younger, or managing invisible wounds, the horses adjust. It’s a give-back all the way around.”

For the Veterans, it was more than a recreational trip — it was an opportunity to reconnect with nature, reminisce, and feel seen in a deeply human way.

“These types of moments are vital,” Motes emphasized.

Motes further explained, “They help our Veterans feel alive, valued, and connected. That’s the essence of our work—and it’s why partnerships like the one with this equestrian center are so meaningful.”

As the visit came to a close, there were no grand speeches or formal ceremonies—just quiet gratitude, a few shared photos, and the memory of a day spent in the presence of calm, compassionate animals.

And for the CLC residents, that memory may be just what they need to carry a little more peace into tomorrow.

                                                                                                                       # # #

About the Orlando VA Healthcare System: Established in 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System is one of the leading healthcare systems serving more than 142,000 Veterans in the VA Sunshine Health Care Network offering healthcare services at 11 locations serving east central Florida. Recently recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the healthcare system received 5 out of 5 stars in overall hospital quality. The healthcare system has also been given 5-star recognition for patient experience by Becker’s Hospital Review and was awarded the 2024 Patient Safety Program of Excellence designation from the Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Patient Safety.

To learn more about the facilities and services offered by the OVAHCS, please visit: VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs, subscribe to receive email updates by clicking here, like us on Facebook at: Orlando VA Healthcare System | Facebook, follow us on Instagram at: Orlando VA Healthcare System (@ovahcs) • Instagram photos and videos or on Twitter at: @OVAHCS / Twitter. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Office of Public Affairs

Orlando VA Health Care System

407-840-6967 I vhaorlpublicaffairs@va.gov.