The goal of the Freedom Patch Program is to improve the mental health and well-being of veterans and their families by offering Equine Assisted sessions focused on Natural Horsemanship. The healing power of a horse and herd behavior, help our heroes heal.
HERD Foundation launched the Freedom Patch Program as a proactive response to
the growing need for services that promote social and emotional well-being among the
military veteran population and their families in Palm Beach County, FL.
Since September 2019 HERD Foundation has been offering the Freedom Patch Program to veterans referred by the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Freedom Patch Program provides mental well-being services to support veterans
struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related problems such as
depression, anxiety, anger, and isolation and are not responding or interested in conventional therapeutic interventions and are interested in an alternative care option.
Families also experience the effects of military service on relationships. In 2024 HERD Foundation started offering Equine Assisted sessions to military families. There are only 2 organizations in Palm Beach County that offer services to military families and HERD Foundation is one of them.
The Natural Lifemanship model of Equine Assisted Services focuses on helping people develop secure, attuned relationships. Equine assisted sessions focus on building this connection with a horse and then transferring the principles to human relationships with greater confidence of success. When working with veterans, rather than focusing on a diagnosis, labels, or past experiences, our primary focus is offering a safe space where participants can explore connection in the present and experience a sense of belonging.
All equine-assisted sessions at HERD Foundation are conducted on the ground with the horses at liberty, meaning they can move freely about the arena and choose how and when to interact. This method is particularly powerful because a natural shift in the relationship dynamic between horse and participant occurs— moving from a relationship that puts humans above horse to one that is based on partnership, clear communication, and trust. Participants are provided the opportunity to learn the principles and skills necessary to foster a meaningful connection with our equine partners.
Connection with the horses enables participants to embody learned principles and skills so that they may be transferred to other relationships and situations in their lives once they step out of the arena.
HERD’s Freedom Patch Program has the following components:
The Freedom Patch Level 1 Veterans Program (FP1) meets for 90 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. In this group veterans learn horsemanship skills while growing their sense of connection and belonging. This group accommodates up to eight (8) participants.
The Freedom Patch Level 2 Veterans Program (FP2) meets for 90 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. The Veterans are alumni/graduates who have completed FP1 or the DOM Program. This group accommodates up to eight (8) participants.
The Freedom Patch Domiciliary Veterans Program (DOM) meets for 90 minutes once a week for 4 weeks. This group accommodates up to six (6) participants. Serves homeless Veterans enrolled in a 45-day residential treatment program at the West Palm Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). Though the DOM curriculum is skills based, this group is geared toward increasing socialization, fostering a sense of belonging, increasing mindfulness, improving self-esteem and sense of purpose, all of which support the VA Domiciliary’s mission to help provide a successful return to community-based living.
The Fall-In Friday Program is designed for graduates who may continue in the program to improve horsemanship skills and connection. This group has continuously run since 2021.
Freedom Patch Families for military families. A 10-week program. Sessions are 90 minutes long. The program focuses on strengthening communication and connection. Including family members in our services strengthens the relationships through the shared experience of connecting with our equine partners.
Wounded Warrior Project Program (WWP): As a Premier Accredited Center through PATH Intl., HERD Foundation is able to offer 10 Individual Equine-Assisted Learning sessions to veterans who have served post-9/11 through the WWP/PATH Intl. Scholarship Program. Veterans in our WWP Program are also offered the option of including family members in their sessions.
All Sessions are run by licensed mental health professionals, equine specialists and five therapy horses.
Sessions are offered at no cost to participants or the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.
