Pal-O-Mine Equestrian announced that it will once again host VetFest at its Islandia farm, 829 Old Nichols Road, on Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
VetFest is a free event exclusively for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Sponsored by the Long Island Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition, the event will bring more than 40 veterans’ resource organizations to Pal-O-Mine’s 13-acre farm to share information on services including housing, health care, employment, mental health and addiction support, education, and financial and legal assistance.
Beyond the resource fair, VetFest offers a day of family-friendly fun, with activities including cornhole, farm-themed games, horseshoe painting, musical saddles, a playground, livestock education, and more.
“Many veterans and families who come through our gates are dealing with struggles that aren’t visible to the outside world,” said Pal-O-Mine Founder and CEO Lisa Gatti. “We’ve seen firsthand how spending time with horses can bring a real sense of calm, even if it’s only for a short while. VetFest is about much more than connecting people with services, though that’s a huge part of it. It’s about giving our military community a place where they feel welcomed, valued, and cared for — and knowing Pal-O-Mine will always be in their corner.”
Pal-O-Mine is grateful to the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation for their generous support of VetFest, as well as their support for our Women Veterans Retreat, held from October 9 – 11.
For more information about VetFest, including sponsorships and requests to table at the event, email Salvina.Barresi@va.gov or mark.murphy8@va.gov. To learn about all of Pal-O-Mine’s equine-assisted therapeutic programs, visit www.pal-o-mine.org.
About Pal-O-Mine Equestrian:
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program to facilitate growth, learning, and healing for children and adults with disabilities, survivors of trauma, veterans, first responders, individuals on the autism spectrum, and many others. Each week, more than 400 students attend one of the many programs offered at the 13-acre Islandia, NY, campus, home to 25 specially trained horses, small farm animals, and a therapeutic horticulture program that serves as a vocational internship site for people with disabilities. To learn more, visit www.Pal-O-Mine.org.
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