FREEDOM

PATCH

CONTACT
A man standing next to a white horse inside a covered outdoor arena.

The Freedom Patch Programs are for military veterans. The objective of the Freedom Patch Programs is to improve veterans' mental health and well-being. 

Our goal is to connect humans to horses so that participants can learn the skills of connection and belonging.  Our hope is that, when participants engage with horses in an arena, they learn to build healthy, attuned relationships with themselves and others.

Freedom Patch Families supports service members and their families by offering experiences that strengthen communication, connection, and understanding.

Through equine-assisted activities, families explore:

  • Communication patterns

  • Relationship dynamics

  • Building trust

  • Strengthening family bonds

Horses offer immediate and honest feedback, helping families discover new ways to listen, communicate, and support one another.

A man holding a rope with two small horses in an indoor riding arena with sand floor and a high, curved roof.
Patch with the text "Heroic Foundation Freedoms Patch" around a graphic of the Statue of Liberty with a background of American flag stars and stripes, and two gold stars on either side.

Freedom Patch One

Eight-Week Program

Freedom Patch One is the entry point into HERD Foundation’s veteran programming.

Participants learn foundational horsemanship skills on the ground, including reading equine body language, developing awareness of personal presence, and learning clear, congruent communication—skills horses naturally respond to.

As veterans work alongside the horses and each other, they begin building:

  • Confidence

  • Trust

  • Connection with fellow veterans

  • Awareness of body language and communication

  • Comfort working with equine partners

Our hope is that veterans begin to feel safe, supported, and connected within the herd—both human and equine.

Two men standing outdoors in front of a wooden shed, holding certificates and smiling. The older man on the left is wearing sunglasses and a green striped shirt, the younger man on the right is wearing a light blue shirt and beige shorts. The shed is decorated with fairy lights and has a sign that reads "Let the shenanigans begin" with festive decorations.
A smiling man in a red shirt and khaki shorts petting a white horse inside a covered outdoor riding arena.

Freedom Patch Two

Eight-Week Continuing Program

Freedom Patch Two is designed for veterans who wish to continue their journey after completing Freedom Patch One.

This program deepens horsemanship practice and encourages continued self-reflection while strengthening relationships built during the first program.

Participants continue to develop:

  • Advanced horsemanship skills

  • Personal awareness and reflection

  • Peer connection and support

  • Confidence working with horses

Freedom Patch Two allows veterans to stay connected with their equine partners, fellow veterans, and the HERD team.

Our Freedom Patch participants enter our programs as individuals but leave as part of a herd.  Once the program is completed, Veterans can enjoy Fall in Fridays at the farm, which allows them to volunteer in our community garden, provide mentorship, and interact with the horses. 

A man in black shirt and tan shorts is holding a stick with a rope tied to it, leading a small brown horse with a mane inside a covered riding arena.
Two men standing outside in front of a wooden structure, holding certificates, with a St. Patrick's Day sign and string lights above them. One man is wearing sunglasses and a green striped shirt, the other is smiling and wearing a light blue shirt an
A man holding a certificate standing next to a small pony that is grazing on the grass in an outdoor area with palm trees and a tent in the background.
A man standing next to a white horse inside a covered outdoor arena with a dirt floor and fencing in the background.
A man in a red t-shirt and green shorts standing next to a white horse inside a covered outdoor area, petting the horse's head.
A woman holding a certificate standing next to a brown and white horse outdoors near a white trailer and a wooden structure with white flowers and palm trees in the background.