Patriot's Promise
Veterans • Active Duty Military
First Responders • Retired First Responders
Serving Those Who Served
Promise Landing Farm proudly introduces Patriot’s Promise, a program dedicated to supporting veterans, active-duty military, first responders.
Through equine-assisted activities, we provide a safe and welcoming space for connection, healing, and personal growth. Guided by the motto “Never Give Up,” Patriot’s Promise offers tailored programs designed to foster resilience, camaraderie, and the transformative power of the horse-human bond.
A Path to Connection and Healing
Promise Landing Farm is proud to introduce Patriot’s Promise, a program dedicated to empowering veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families. This equine-assisted initiative offers a welcoming community where participants can experience the healing and transformative power of horses and nature.
Patriot’s Promise provides tailored individual and group programs, including unmounted and mounted horsemanship activities. From one-time clinics to recurring sessions, these experiences are thoughtfully designed to support emotional well-being, cognitive development, physical strength, and social connection while fostering camaraderie and resilience.
Guided by the core value “Never Give Up,” Patriot’s Promise is our commitment to honoring and supporting those who serve. Veterans, and active-duty military members are invited to join us for meaningful equine interactions and volunteer opportunities in a safe, inclusive environment at both of our locations.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please email katie@promiselandingfarm.org
Patriot's Program Details
Certified Instructors
Veterans will find our riding lessons especially valuable due to the expertise and dedication of our instructors. Certified therapeutic riding instructors (CTRIs) through PATH International, our instructors are skilled in creating customized, supportive, and adaptive lesson plans that cater to the unique needs of veterans. They use their experience and compassion to ensure that every veteran feels understood, respected, and empowered, making the lessons not only beneficial but also transformative.
Community Support
At Promise Landing Farm, we are dedicated to supporting our veterans and their families, helping them find connection, healing, and community through the power of horses and nature. Our programs effectively address mental and emotional needs thanks to our incredibly warm and caring staff, volunteers, and community, who provide unwavering support and compassion to every participant.
Free Veteran Sessions
Thanks to different grants and programs, we are able to offer free sessions (weekly lessons during one of our seasonal sessions) to our Veterans. Veterans who are Maryland residents can ride for free, thanks to a grant from the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program. (Please note you are a veteran in your application.)
Benefits of Equine-Assisted Activities
At the heart of Patriot’s Promise is our core value: “Never Give Up.” The skills learned through working with horses— patience, resilience, and self-awareness—translate far beyond the barn, helping participants regain confidence and navigate life’s challenges.
Targets Many Common PTSD Issues:
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Decreased feelings of isolation
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Self-efficacy and self-esteem building
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Reductions in anxiety Increased confidence
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Trust development
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Self-acceptance
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Decreases in depression symptoms
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Improved management of stress
Beneficial Changes to Brain Chemistry:
Neural mapping has shown physical changes to the brain following equine-assisted activities. Many treatments that can affect brain chemistry are typically medication-assisted approaches. You can get many of the same benefits without prescription drugs by using equine-assisted activities for PTSD, such as Amygdala changes, prefrontal cortex changes, and hippocampus changes.
A Sense of Control:
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Combatting Feelings of Helplessness
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Immediate Feedback from Horses
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Empowerment through Direction
Development of Trust & Bonding for Civilian Life:
Horses can perceive even minute changes in human emotion, reacting with genuine and immediate feedback. This honesty helps veterans engage authentically, understanding that they’re in a space of non-judgment and genuine interaction.
Long-Lasting Benefits:
A recent three-year study found that equine therapy led to long term benefits in treating PTSD.
1. “Top 5 Benefits of Equine Therapy for Veterans,” TTC Mending Fences, accessed March 22, 2025, https://ttcmendingfences.com/blog/top-5-benefits-of-equine-therapy-for-veterans/. 2. Tasha M. Golden et al., “A Review of Art Therapy Among Military Service Members and Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health 30, no. 3 (2022), https://jmvh.org/article/a-review-ofart-therapy-among-military-service-members-and-veterans-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/. 3. Laura N. Taylor et al., “Equine-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Journal of Affective Disorders 282 (2021): 50–57, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720328536. 4. William D.S. Killgore et al., “Neuroimaging Changes in PTSD Following Therapeutic Interventions: A Meta-Analysis,” Human Brain Mapping 42, no. 4 (2021): 1003–1017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33547694/.
Get Started with PLF!
To get started with Riding Lessons, fill out the Patriots Application.
We review your application and get back to you within 48 business hours.
To get started with a Patriot's Promise Clinic, click here.
Are you a group looking for equine-assisted learning or other specialty programs?
Please send us a message on our contact page!