Therapeutic Riding Arena at BHHR
Donation protected
Hello, I am Warren VanOverbeke. I am a Wounded Warrior who battles the emotional and physical wounds of war each day.
Two years ago I was at rock bottom and admission to an inpatient Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) program was the only answer to assist in battling my PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other wounds. The truely devestating part, it happened while I was at the top of my career!
After 28 years of combined service in the Air Force and Air National Guard I had worked my way through 19 years of enlistment to Master Sergeant and was then fortunate enough to obtain a commission to Second Lieutenant. Over my enlisted time I served on Active Duty and in the Air National Guard as s Crew Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Controller and Aircraft Plans and Scheduler. As an officer I had reached a major milestone in my career as a Captain serving as a Bilateral / Foreign Affairs Officer working from the United States Embassy in Budapest, Hungary. It was there in 2014, two years after my last deployment to Afghanistan, I could no longer ignore what was happening to me.
Thanks to a host of people, especially my wife Leanne, I was able to receive help. First at Lanstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, then at Walter Reed Bethesda Naval Hospital and Malcolm Grow Military Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base. Fortunately the help I received was enough to save my life, but not enough to save my career.
The day the Air Force informed me I could no longer serve I was devastated! The military had been the one constant in my life. So what would I do next? That is when Leanne and I decided to move to our home located just outside of Shelby, Michigan.
While seeking treatment and therapy for PTSD , TBI and other wounds in Maryland I had volunteered at Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (FHHR). The horses at FHHR reminded me of my youth, my grandfather's farm and my horses boarded back in Michigan. While working at the rescue I met a sassy Mustang by the name of Apple who challenged me and whom I connected with instantly. Her spunk, stamina and determination reminded me I was still alive and rarely was there a moment she didn't place a great big smile on my face! I loved this horse so much I knew my next step in life had to involve her, so I adopted her and headed to Michigan unsure of what we would do next.
Initially Leanne and I envisioned our 8.5 acres of land as a great place to board and train horses, but today it has evolved into so much more! So much in fact, we are transitioning to a 501c in hope of becoming "The Refuge at Battle Hymn Horse Ranch" so we may offer therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities.
Battle Hymn is unquestionably more than a horse ranch, it is a therapeutic refuge and all the animals on the ranch; horses, mini-horses, alpacas, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks and even Smokey Joe the donkey, assist in bringing joy, amazement and healing to all ages, races, religions, genders, colors and creeds that visit us.
Our dilemma, constructing a year round space for wounded warriors, adults, and children from all walks of life to heal from the physical and invisible wounds of a traumatic experience. There is no better way to heal than interacting with an animal and we need your help to make it a reality!
Leanne and I hope to raise enough money to purchase and install a small (65' x 80') indoor riding arena to host year round therapeutic events. We have invested everything we own in land and materials to make this dream a reality, unfortunately it is not enough. Below is a line quote for the center.
65W X 80L Building: $26,899.00
Helical anchor foundation: $6,500.00
Building Install: $12,349.41
Trim package: $1,408.88
Freight: $1,424.00
The Refuge at Battle Hymn Horse Ranch will be a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) certified center promoting equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. Warren is in the process of obtaining certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, as well as a Certificate in Horse Management from Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Our plan is to accept unwanted, abandoned or rescued horses and utilize them in our equine-assisted activities and therapies. The program will consist of therapeutic riding as well as other activities where participants may gain a therapeutic benefit by grooming or caring for the animals. As we can attest, there is nothing like witnessing the smile on a person's face when they arrive at our ranch and interact with the animals.
Please help us bring happiness and healing to those who have experienced life changing trauma! Anything you are able to provide to get this project off the ground is truely appreciated.
Thank you,
Warren and Leanne Van Overbeke
Two years ago I was at rock bottom and admission to an inpatient Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) program was the only answer to assist in battling my PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other wounds. The truely devestating part, it happened while I was at the top of my career!
After 28 years of combined service in the Air Force and Air National Guard I had worked my way through 19 years of enlistment to Master Sergeant and was then fortunate enough to obtain a commission to Second Lieutenant. Over my enlisted time I served on Active Duty and in the Air National Guard as s Crew Chief, Aircraft Maintenance Controller and Aircraft Plans and Scheduler. As an officer I had reached a major milestone in my career as a Captain serving as a Bilateral / Foreign Affairs Officer working from the United States Embassy in Budapest, Hungary. It was there in 2014, two years after my last deployment to Afghanistan, I could no longer ignore what was happening to me.
Thanks to a host of people, especially my wife Leanne, I was able to receive help. First at Lanstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, then at Walter Reed Bethesda Naval Hospital and Malcolm Grow Military Medical Center on Andrews Air Force Base. Fortunately the help I received was enough to save my life, but not enough to save my career.
The day the Air Force informed me I could no longer serve I was devastated! The military had been the one constant in my life. So what would I do next? That is when Leanne and I decided to move to our home located just outside of Shelby, Michigan.
While seeking treatment and therapy for PTSD , TBI and other wounds in Maryland I had volunteered at Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (FHHR). The horses at FHHR reminded me of my youth, my grandfather's farm and my horses boarded back in Michigan. While working at the rescue I met a sassy Mustang by the name of Apple who challenged me and whom I connected with instantly. Her spunk, stamina and determination reminded me I was still alive and rarely was there a moment she didn't place a great big smile on my face! I loved this horse so much I knew my next step in life had to involve her, so I adopted her and headed to Michigan unsure of what we would do next.
Initially Leanne and I envisioned our 8.5 acres of land as a great place to board and train horses, but today it has evolved into so much more! So much in fact, we are transitioning to a 501c in hope of becoming "The Refuge at Battle Hymn Horse Ranch" so we may offer therapeutic riding and equine assisted activities.
Battle Hymn is unquestionably more than a horse ranch, it is a therapeutic refuge and all the animals on the ranch; horses, mini-horses, alpacas, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks and even Smokey Joe the donkey, assist in bringing joy, amazement and healing to all ages, races, religions, genders, colors and creeds that visit us.
Our dilemma, constructing a year round space for wounded warriors, adults, and children from all walks of life to heal from the physical and invisible wounds of a traumatic experience. There is no better way to heal than interacting with an animal and we need your help to make it a reality!
Leanne and I hope to raise enough money to purchase and install a small (65' x 80') indoor riding arena to host year round therapeutic events. We have invested everything we own in land and materials to make this dream a reality, unfortunately it is not enough. Below is a line quote for the center.
65W X 80L Building: $26,899.00
Helical anchor foundation: $6,500.00
Building Install: $12,349.41
Trim package: $1,408.88
Freight: $1,424.00
The Refuge at Battle Hymn Horse Ranch will be a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) certified center promoting equine-assisted activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. Warren is in the process of obtaining certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, as well as a Certificate in Horse Management from Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Our plan is to accept unwanted, abandoned or rescued horses and utilize them in our equine-assisted activities and therapies. The program will consist of therapeutic riding as well as other activities where participants may gain a therapeutic benefit by grooming or caring for the animals. As we can attest, there is nothing like witnessing the smile on a person's face when they arrive at our ranch and interact with the animals.
Please help us bring happiness and healing to those who have experienced life changing trauma! Anything you are able to provide to get this project off the ground is truely appreciated.
Thank you,
Warren and Leanne Van Overbeke
Organizer
Warren Van Overbeke
Organizer
Shelby, MI