For many military veterans, the transition to civilian life can feel disorienting and lonely. After years of structure, shared purpose, and tight-knit camaraderie, it’s not always easy to find a sense of belonging again.
Navy veteran Thomas Rierdon says it was the equine therapy program at Veteran’s Club in Louisville that helped him overcome his self-isolation. He tried it out during a three-day program with the VA and liked it so much that he wanted to continue.
“The Equine Program has taught me how to become a better father, and I have developed a sense of brotherhood that I haven’t experienced since my military service,” Thomas says. “Without this organization, I don’t know where I’d be today.”
The Equine Program combines mentoring, teamwork, and the calming presence of horses. Developed by veterans, equine professionals, and clinicians who understand trauma and transition, the program gives participants a safe place to work through PTSD, TBI, and other challenges. It provides veterans with a space to breathe, reconnect, and rebuild confidence at their own pace.
Thomas was so encouraged by his experience that he began volunteering with the Club in 2017. Today, he works as a peer mentor and facilitator with the Equine Program.
Veterans’ Club (veteransclubinc.org) offers:
- The Equine Facilitated Mentoring Program
- Connections events that bring veterans and families together for social activities
- Operation Jeep Build, a vocational program focused on automotive repair
- Women Warriors, a safe space for female veterans to support one another
- An Assistance Program offering housing help, career transition support, and clinical referrals
“I see myself in so many of the veterans who come into the program,” he says. “On my first day, I stood in the corner and didn’t really talk with anyone. But by the end of the day, I was smiling and talking with everyone. Now, I make it a point to go over and introduce myself to them and let them know I was just like them when I first came to equine therapy, and now look at me!”
Thomas also helps with Operation Jeep Build, where veterans restore a Jeep under the guidance of ASE-certified mechanics. Along the way, they learn welding, painting, and body work while rediscovering teamwork, purpose, and pride in mastering new skills.
“The camaraderie we have is very important,” Thomas says. “Club activities get me out of my house and allow me to spend time with other like-minded individuals. I don’t have to explain myself. We’ve all been through the same stuff, just in different eras.”
Thomas encourages others to volunteer and to seek out opportunities that bring connection, shared experience, and meaning. For him, Veteran’s’ Club has become more than a place to volunteer — it’s a community that offers belonging and support.
By Kym Voorhees Raque | Photo by Emily McCanless
Leave a Reply