MaineBusiness.com

Equest Celebrates 2nd Annual Veterans Riding Program in Honor of Veterans Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2009

LYMAN, MAINE, November 9, 2009- Equest, the premier adaptive horseback riding program serving children and adults with disabilities in Southern Maine, honored the 26 veterans who took part in their 2nd annual Veterans Program this year at a celebration today at Spring Creek Farm in Lyman. Veterans received an appreciation pin and performed several 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 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 from deployment,” said veteran Tim Bragg. “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.”

Sarah Armentrout, co-founder and Executive Director of Equest, commented, “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.”

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, but 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.”

“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 is a list of the veterans that attended today’s ceremony:

Cecilia Berwick, Farmington, Marine
Aurele Belanger, Caribou, Army Air Corp
Tim Bragg, Sanford, Army
Norman Caesar, Scarborough, Army
Val Cormier, Amesbury, MA, Army, Air Force, Navy
Karl Cressey, Gorham, United States Coast Guard, Merchant Marine
John Cudworth, Lowell, MA, Merchant Marine
Art Cunningham, St. Louis Missouri, Navy
Fred Dyer, Portland, Army Air Corp
Charles Hannaford, South Portland, Army
Harrison “Hutch” Hutchinson, Kennebunk WWII Marine
Jessica Truitt, Biddeford, Army
Calvin Wade, Hunnington, West VA, Army
Susan Wellesley, Oak Bluff, Massachusetts Navy
Larry Whitehead, Portland, Marine, Army, Air Force and Navy

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