Islandia nonprofit serves 66 veterans with equine therapy

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a nonprofit located on Old Nichols Road in Islandia, has begun a 24-week program that will provide free equine-assisted psychotherapy to 66 veterans. The initiative is funded by a recent grant from the Sunshine Foundation and extends the farm’s work serving military personnel and first responders.

Rachel Gearwar, a licensed mental health professional who has led the veterans programs at Pal-O-Mine for 16 years, oversees the therapeutic sessions. The farm has operated equine programs for more than 30 years and has worked with veterans for approximately 15 years. Gearwar stated that the horses provide a stable environment for individuals who may have withdrawn from social interaction. "Horses give you the space and hold it for you and stand by you and allow you to feel that without it having to be so scary," she said.

Jimmy McCune, a former U.S. Marine from Smithtown, participates in two of the farm’s active programs. He attends Fall-In Fridays, a weekly drop-in session where veterans groom the horses and practice groundwork. He also attends Roping for Service, a Sunday class taught by Slick Horns Horsemanship. McCune described the experience as a way to slow down. "You can’t rush a horse," he said. "The horse will tell you when he’s ready, so it makes me slow down and be patient."

Michael Papa, a retired New York City Police Department K-9 officer who also served 28 years in the U.S. Navy, joined the program after multiple surgeries left him unable to continue his active career. He noted that the farm treated him as a person rather than a patient with disabilities. "They looked at me as a human being," Papa said. He compared the lack of negative side effects to traditional medication, stating that the only drawback was wanting the next session to arrive sooner.

Pal-O-Mine founder and CEO Lisa Gatti said the commitment to the military community is personal. She described the program as a commitment to honor those who served and to utilize the horses to provide connection and healing. "It is a commitment to honor those who have sacrificed in service to our country," Gatti said.

In addition to the 24-week psychotherapy initiative, the farm offers equine-assisted learning, family programs, and overnight retreats. The facility is certified by Eagala as a military-designated site. In October, the farm hosted its fourth annual VetFest in partnership with the Long Island Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition. The event connected veterans with resource groups focused on housing, health care, and employment.

The organization relies on grants and donations to keep all military and first responder programs free of charge. Veterans interested in participating can contact the farm via email, and the organization accepts donations and volunteers through its website.