---

The largest animal living at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a 21-year-old Belgian gelding named Goliath. When this powerful yet sensitive horse joined the herd over a decade ago, his previous career as part of a competitive pulling team had left him feeling insecure and lacking confidence. Thankfully, the caretakers and trainers at Pal-O-Mine were able to restore these qualities through reassurance, love, and kindness. Today, when veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families meet this special and aptly named horse through Pal-O-Mine’s mounted and unmounted programming, Goliath teaches them that even the biggest and most powerful creatures need help sometimes, too.

Pal-O-Mine offers an array of standing and seasonal programs dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families, most of which are offered at no cost thanks to grant funding and donations.

Hundreds of veterans and their family members annually engage in standing veterans]’programs at Pal-O-Mine including individual and group equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions; Fall-In-Friday, which focuses on unmounted horsemanship skills; and Roping For Service, which teaches participants how to rope “from the ground up.” Veterans are also encouraged to volunteer in support of other Pal-O-Mine programs. Additional opportunities for engagement are offered through Stand to Sundays sessions, which provide wellness, connection and support services to families, and overnight Women’s Veteran Wellness Retreats, among other activities.

In 2024, Pal-O-Mine hosted VetFest, a regional veterans’ suicide prevention and services fair, which drew over 200 attendees to the property. Additionally, Pal-O-Mine is one of just 30 EAGALA Designated Military Programs worldwide, meaning that the EAGALA certified professionals working with this community have received additional specialized training.

When participants meet Goliath, they are, of course, immediately impressed by his size and stature. But when they learn more about his sensitive and gentle personality, it teaches them that being physically strong or tough doesn’t mean you also have to be hard or closed off. Research has proven that veterans are less likely to seek mental health services than other populations, due to the stigma associated with it. Goliath helps this vulnerable population to better understand that you can be big and powerful and also deserve love and kindness when life gets hard.

One veteran shares that working one-on-one with Goliath has allowed them to form a bond of trust and solace which they consider a privilege to experience.

“It’s an encounter that grounds you and melts away stress, worries, and the weight of burdens, or just provides a pause in the flow of life with an experience of simple joy you didn’t know you could let happen,” they shared. “These sessions with Goliath are truly calming, enlightening, and redemptive in a way that allowed me to have a quiet connection and mindfulness experience that lasts. It’s a special opportunity–a gift, actually–that these sensitive horses let you absorb their calm spirit. I am truly grateful.”

Another veteran shared that when he was discharged from military service in 2017, he lost their sense of purpose. One year later, he also lost his father to suicide; the combined effects of these significant life changes left him struggling with severe depression.

“Some days, I questioned waking up in the morning,” this veteran said. “I distanced myself from others. I put up walls in front of the people I loved most.”

But working with the equines at Pal-O-Mine proved to be one of the most transformative post-military events this veteran had experienced, and helped him start along the path toward healing.

“These experiences in therapy with Goliath and the donkeys served as a mirror to myself—a way for me to lead internally,” he said. “I’ve found a new sense of identity, and these beautiful animals have taught me so many lessons on perspective and how to have a glass that is half full in the toughest of times.

“With this program, I get to continue this hard work of building myself up, learning how to view myself and people in a more positive light,” he continued. “I’m certainly not where I need or want to be, but I’m more hopeful than ever these days.”

It is these small yet powerful moments of interaction which can lead to the greatest of transformations. And Goliath, by simply being who and what he is, is helping these military veterans find their way back to themselves.