We Are Veterans
Serving Disabled Veterans
Through "Hands-on-Horsemanship"
.png)
About Us
Self-esteem and confidence come through accomplishment, not participation trophies!
The beautiful thing about working with horses aside from being in their environment is the relationship built between you and the horse. As you begin to understand him you realize that he had a handle on you after about 5 minutes.
Are you:
-
A good leader?
-
Honest?
-
A good communicator?
-
Consistent?
-
Relaxed?
-
Do you value him for who he is?
"Hands-on-Horsemanship"
is all about you becoming all of the above. In the world of horses one of you will be the leader, VETS is here to ensure that YOU are that leader!
If you are a Disabled Veteran suffering from PTSD/TBI, or you know of one, contact us because “You don’t have to ride alone!”
Veteran Equine Training Services of the Ozarks is providing an equine training and horseback riding program to American Disabled Veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI in the West Plains, MO Area (Arkansas & Missouri). @ NO COST!
The 8-week, 6-step program is available to Disabled Veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI and other veterans who qualify, living within driving distance of our ranch, located 8 miles southwest of West Plains, MO.
At no cost to the Disabled Veteran.
See Program Overview and Application Form
or Contact VETS @ 877-5FORVET
For more information
.jpg)
Kristi from Ponona, MO
Once a week I drive out to work with Mr. Dye and Ms. Christy. There is a gentle peace at the ranch. It is calm and quiet; but there is an edge of grit and discipline. American flags fly along the gravel drive. Each ripple reminds me of my comrades and the funerals that I have attended.
As I enter the shade of the barn the horses begin to read the rhythm of my heartbeat. I am being judged in an honest yet forgiving way. I am afforded a new day and a new start.
The facilities are well thought out, clean, and organized. It's a place where I can work on those same attributes in my own life. The horses and the people handle all my questions and mistakes with patience and respect.
I am blessed to have been given this time. It was a magical opportunity.
Clinical studies confirm that equine training and horseback riding have a clinically significant impact on the quality of life for disabled veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI
Beth A. Lanning, Ph.D., Baylor University.
PTSD scores dropped 87% after 6 weeks of Equine Training.
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO College of Veterinary Medicine
Harry from Mt. View, MO
First, I would like to thank Mr. Dye and Ms. Kristy for your professionalism, expertise, and patience.
The facilities and instruction sessions were clean, clear, concise, and welcoming. I was able to learn about horses and how to ride them, not to forget caring for them, interacting and saddling them as well.
My experience over all was very enriching, positive and above all I learned how to interact with horses in a way that allows me to grow in knowledge and understanding of these great, intelligent, and powerful animals.
I highly recommend any Disabled Veteran, physically able, to participate in the VETS program.
While this is a 6-step program each veteran will progress at a different rate because of experience level or physical limitations. Therefore, it is not practical to lock the veteran into a situation where in lesson #3 we will accomplish this and lesson #4 will include this. The goal is for the veteran to focus on the positive and enjoy the process of equine training. We will set goals that are realistic and attainable.
This program is not “Equine Therapy.” The program will provide Veteran Equine Training Services to Disabled Veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI in our area.
Charleen from Mt. Home, AR
When I saw the ad for the Veterans Equine Training in the Ozark Horse Trader, I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to learn more about how to ride and connect with a horse. I knew very little about connecting with a horse and Allen took me from zero to hero in a few short, very fun weeks.
From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed by the inviting signage outside, making their beautifully outfitted facility easy to find. In the round pen, I learned the basics like cleaning hooves, saddling, and putting a bridle on as well as a few neat “cowboy” secrets. The horses made the training easy and fun. Beau and Ginger, both treated me well and despite my lack of knowledge, they showed me how much patience a horse can have, and it really helped create an atmosphere where it felt safe to learn how to ride a horse at something more than a trail-horse speed. Although our training sessions seemed to go by fast, I never felt rushed to learn and that made a big impact. Safety was always key, not necessarily the lesson at hand.
It was a blessing to have Allen take time to teach me how to do all of this. Allen was encouraging all the way through, and his kind words cast a friendship that I’m honored to have. Horses can be captivating creatures and knowing how to be safe and composed around them can foster some amazingly deep relationships. I encourage anyone with that curiosity to pursue this course as both horses and people alike can offer some extraordinary connections.
Freedom Ain't Free
At some point every veteran wrote a check, made payable to you and every citizen of the United States of America, in the amount of everything he/she has and everything he/she hopes to have, up to and including their LIFE!
By supporting Veterans Equine Training Services - YOU can help those who gave so much to serve YOU
your VETS
Instructors
Ms. Kristy
Ranch Foreman/Instructor
Allen Dye
President & CEO VETS
Jason from Caufield, MO
I recently completed the Veterans Equine Training Services of the Ozarks program. Before that, I hadn't ridden a horse in over twenty years. The first morning I arrived at the training site, I was nervous, but rearing to go. Allen Dye the trainer, and I talked, and he asked me what my goals were and what I wanted to get out of the program. He was a great coach, and with me every step of the way. He would instruct me and demonstrate each task he wanted me to do before he asked me to try it. We started with the basics of safety around horses and moved to handling and grooming practices. Then, we moved to ground-working the horses in a round pen. I could hardly believe how calm and well trained the horses already were. It was old hat to them. The next step was up into the saddle and the basics of riding, an exhilarating feeling! I had the pleasure of working with three different horses, each a joy. Allen and his assistant, Ms. Kristy had all of the knowledge and experience necessary to help me succeed, and more. They were patient, attentive, and resourceful, supplying all of the horses and tack (gear). The final session was a wonderful trail ride with Allen around his large generational family farm and a very kind and warm invitation to return as often as I like to go riding, or just have coffee and visit with them and the horses.
It may very well be that there is a genuine mystical connection between man and horse, as our ancestors tamed and came to depend upon the majestic animals for thousands of years. It's something difficult to put into words… The feel of the muscles and tendons as you run your hands over the smooth coat of a horse; the musky, yet pleasant smell of their hide; the soft peach fuzz of their lips; the rapid flappy sound of their heavy exhale through their large nostrils; looking into the eyes of a calm horse, an animal of intelligence, who seems to understand you as you tell them your troubles…
Add to the above, the beauty and feeling of freedom of riding a big farm, and you’ve got the program in a nutshell. Each time I finished a session, I found myself feeling calmer and enjoying a sense of accomplishment. The program helped me push through psychological barriers I’d had for a long time, and I made some new friends while doing it.
My thanks to all of the folks who made my participation possible and so enjoyable, over at the Veterans Equine Training Services of the Ozarks.
I would recommend it to everyone!
VETS is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
One Last Item
After the veteran completes the program, he or she will be welcome at the ranch any time to do volunteer work, help with the chores, ride, or just hang out (within reason). As with so many of our boarding clients sometimes folks need to just get away to a quiet place and be around folks and horses that have no agenda.
.png)
