MaineBusiness.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2009

LYMAN, MAINE, November 2, 2009- Equest, the premier adaptive horseback riding program serving children and adults with disabilities in Southern Maine, will be honoring the 26 veterans who took part in their 2nd annual Veterans Program this year at a celebration on November 9 at 10 a.m. at Spring Creek Farm in Lyman. Veterans will receive an appreciation pin and will do riding and carriage driving demonstrations for attendees.

Veterans of a number of wars have returned with disabling conditions such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amputation, and other war-related injuries. As part of a large nationwide effort to give back to our disabled veterans, Equest began offering its Veterans Program under the guidance of NARHA Horses for Heroes. Maine-based veterans and their families have an opportunity to learn new sports and master new skills like adaptive riding and carriage driving while also improving their physical and mental well-being.

A young father recently back from war comments on his experience at Equest:

“The process of transitioning and reintegrating back to one's family can be difficult for a soldier returning back from deployment, “said Tim Bragg, veteran. “I am so fortunate for the opportunity that Equest has given to me and my family. To be able to learn something new and exchange words of encouragement with my wife and children has helped me to get that foundation back. Equest, I thank you.”

“Tim’s story, along with the many stories that we have heard from all the Veterans that we work with, are why we work so hard to keep this program alive,” said Sarah Armentrout, co-founder and Executive Director.

Twenty- six veterans participated in this year’s program which was made possible through a State of Maine Community Development Block Grant of $40,000.

Amy Marcotte, team leader of the Sanford Veterans Center said,” Veterans who are readjusting from military-related trauma benefit not only from the traditional therapies that they can get at vet centers and VA facilities; they also receive great benefit from alternative therapies such as therapeutic riding. Some veterans are in fact reluctant to access traditional methods of care and may be more comfortable getting help through programs such as Equest.” (we need to get her Ok on this)

“It is truly a rewarding and empowering program for veterans and I am looking forward to bringing residents back again next year,” said Jeannine Lessard, activity coordinator at the Maine Veterans Home.

Here are details about the celebration in honor of these veterans:

Who—Equest’s Veterans Riding Program, Equest Therapeutic Riding Center; Sarah Armentrout, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Equest; Tim Bragg, Veteran; Tammy Knight, Development Program Manager of the Office of Community Development; State Representatives from U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ U.S. Represenative Michael Michaud’s office; Pat Young, Chief Operating Officer, Maine Veterans Homes; Steve Garde, Administrator for Maine Veterans Home of Scarborough; and Amy Marcotte, Sanford Vet Center.

What—Celerbation in honor of veterans who participated in 2009 Horseback Riding Program and riding demonstrations

Where--- Spring Creek Farm, 65 Drown Lane, Lyman, ME (35 minutes from Portland??)

When--- Monday, November 9 at 10 a.m.

Directions to Spring Creek Farm:

From the North: Take I 95 to Exit 32 (formerly Exit 4), Biddeford. After tollbooth, take a right onto Route 111, heading west. Go approximately 6 miles until traffic light (Dunkin Donuts on the left and Sunoco on the right) at intersection of Route 35. Take a left onto Route 35 South. Go approximately 2 miles, over a bridge (dam on right) continue up the hill then back down. On the downhill side is a road that forks right. Go right, road will fork again, stay straight onto Walker Road. Continue on Walker Road for ½ mile, turn left onto Old North Berwick Road. Go ¼ mile, turn right onto Drown Lane. Spring Creek Farm is at the end on both sides. The Equest office, lesson barn and parking area is on the right.

From the South: From I 95 Turnpike (Kennebunk) Exit 25 (formerly Exit 3), take Route 35 heading North (Alewive Road). Go approximately 4 miles. Route 35 will take a sharp right. Rather than going right, go straight onto Walker Road. Road forks again immediately, stay straight onto Walker Road. Go ½ mile, turn left onto Old North Berwick Road. Go ¼ mile, turn right onto Drown Lane. Spring Creek Farm is at the end on both sides. The Equest office, lesson barn and parking area is on the right.


About Equest
Equest is a 501(c)(3) therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with disabilities in Southern Maine. As a Premier Accredited Center of NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), Equest’s mission is to provide affordable, accessible, and effective equine-facilitated therapies within an exceptional learning environment that supports individuals with disabilities in reaching their fullest potential. For more information please visit www.equestmaine.org

Equest, Contact:
Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates
(207) 653-0365
nema@maine.rr.com