I am fundraising as an ambassador because my understanding of mental health has been shaped by seeing how healing does not always happen in traditional ways. Through my exposure to Spring Reins of Life, I have seen how horses create a space that feels different from conventional therapy. Before working with Spring Reins of Life, I thought about mental health care as structured and clinical. SRoL changed that. It showed me that connection itself can be a form of care, and that sometimes healing begins with feeling safe enough to engage at all. For many people, especially those who feel disconnected from traditional systems, that matters.
I want to help make these kinds of experiences more accessible, particularly for individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with mental health support. It also reflects what I hope to contribute more broadly: expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and supporting approaches that meet people where they are. The funding we receive from this initiative would allow Spring Reins of Life to coordinate a 2-3 day Operation Horse Weekend Retreat for Veterans in New Jersey– taking place towards the end of summer.
