Logo with a blue horse head silhouette and red mane, with the text 'Still Breathing Equine' below, and five stars underneath.

Standing With Those Who Serve

Still Breathing Equine is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing no-cost equine-assisted support to active duty service members, veterans, and first responders in the Camp Lejeune region. We believe those who serve deserve support without barriers.

Four horses standing on a dirt field with trees in the background.

Clinical and behavioral health services play a critical role in supporting service members and veterans. Still Breathing Equine does not replace clinical care; rather, it provides a complementary, non-clinical environment that supports connection, regulation, and peer engagement alongside existing systems of care.

THE NEED

HOW WE SERVE

No-Cost Participation

There are no fees to participate. Still Breathing Equine is fully supported by donations and volunteers so active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders can focus on connection — not cost.

Veteran-Led, Mission-Focused

Founded and led by a combat veteran, Still Breathing Equine is built on shared experience and understanding of military culture. Sessions are guided with trust, structure, and respect for the unique challenges of service.

Equine-Assisted Support

Through structured interactions with horses, participants build regulation, trust, and connection in a calm, non-clinical setting. Sessions are designed to support resilience, self-awareness, and steady engagement.

A man holding a white horse's face close to his own, outdoors on a cloudy day.

WHO WE ARE

Still Breathing Equine is a veteran-led nonprofit providing equine-assisted support for active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders.

Through structured interactions with horses, we create a grounded, non-clinical environment that supports trust, connection, and regulation — one moment at a time.

Founded by a combat veteran, our program is built on shared experience, respect, and the belief that healing doesn’t always require words.

Meet the horses

  • A woman standing outdoors petting a large, light-brown horse with a white blaze on its face, near a wooded area with leafless trees.

    ARION

    THE BIG SHOW

    Belgian gelding—and quite possibly the largest Belgian in the United States. We plan on working with Guinness World Records to officially document his size. After spending his first seventeen years as a carriage horse, Arion came to us carrying both an incredible physical presence and a remarkably gentle soul.

    Despite being an absolute showstopper, Arion’s heart is pure gold. He has the personality of a loyal dog—happy to follow you wherever you go, or to stand patiently for a good neck scratch (and yes, he’ll politely lower his head so you can reach). Gentle, kind, sweet, and endlessly welcoming, Arion meets everyone exactly where they are, offering connection without expectation and comfort without judgment.

  • A brown adult horse with a red halter and a white stripe on its face, a light-colored foal, and another adult horse in the background standing in a grassy field enclosed by a wire fence.

    ATHENA

    THE HERD MOM

    A Belgian mare whose story is one of survival, vigilance, and quiet power. She came to us after enduring severe abuse, because of that past, Athena is always watching—carefully reading whether she will be met with kindness or harm.

    Yet it is within that watchfulness that Athena’s greatest gift lives. When she encounters someone carrying their own trauma, something shifts. She recognizes it. In those moments, Athena offers a deep, steady presence—one rooted in immense strength. Not just the strength it took to survive physical pain, but the strength of spirit required to keep going, to remain open, and to keep breathing. Athena teaches that resilience is not loud, and that healing can be shared in silence, one steady moment at a time.

  • A brown horse with a white blaze on its face wearing a red and blue halter, standing outdoors.

    FREYA

    STEADY PRESENCE

    This mare who has been part of our herd since she was just six months old. She came to us from the Amish, full of personality and confidence—a sassy filly who knew exactly who she was from day one. Freya has never experienced trauma, and that steady, secure start shows in everything she does.

    As she’s grown, Freya has settled into a calm, grounded presence. She’s incredibly intuitive, picking up on emotions without a single word being spoken. Whether someone arrives carrying stress, grief, or simply needs quiet company, Freya seems to know—and meets them exactly where they are. She reminds us that strength can be gentle, and that sometimes the most powerful support comes without saying anything at all.

  • A man with a gray beard in a green hoodie holds a bucket in one hand and gently strokes a brown horse's nose with the other hand, with several other horses in the background in an open field.

    LOKI

    EARNED, NOT GIVEN

    Quarter Horse gelding and the only non-draft horse in our herd. Where many of our horses bring steady confidence, Loki brings something just as powerful—deep understanding. Loki knows trauma. While working as a cow horse in Texas, he was involved in a serious barbed-wire accident. It’s an experience that left a mark, not just physically, but emotionally.

    During that time Loki was treated with a very heavy hand, Because of that, Loki can be hesitant with new people. He takes his time, watches closely, and decides carefully who to trust. But beneath that caution is an incredibly gentle heart. When someone approaches Loki with vulnerability of their own, he meets them there—setting aside his fears to stand quietly, fully present, and unwavering in support. Loki reminds us that healing doesn’t always come from strength alone, but from the courage to be seen and the choice to stay anyway.

  • A man with short hair and a beard wearing a green hoodie gently strokes the face of a brown and white horse with a creamy mane at a farm, while other horses are visible in the background.

    MATTIS

    GROWING INTO GREATNESS

    Named after Gen. James Mattis —and he’s already living up to his namesake. As Athena’s foal, Mattis carries himself with confidence, presence, and a quietly commanding energy that turns heads without trying.

    Bold, curious, and strong-willed, Mattis embodies leadership in the making. He’s observant and engaged, always aware of what’s happening around him, and he meets the world with both grit and intelligence. Whether he’s testing boundaries or standing steady beside his dam, Mattis reminds us that character shows early—and that strength, when grounded, becomes something others naturally follow.

  • A close-up of a chestnut horse with a blond mane wearing a blue halter, in a farm setting with hay bales in the background.

    ODIN

    HEAVYWEIGHT EDITION

    Belgian gelding whose life has been defined by strength—and, ultimately, by love. He spent the first thirteen years of his life working for the Amish, where his immense size and power meant he was forced to give more and more. Over time, that work left his body arthritic, tired, and slow.

    And yet, Odin’s spirit was never broken. His personality remained unchanged—steady, gentle, and kind. Odin carries his strength softly. He is content to stand with someone who needs to tell their story, to be leaned on while they catch their breath, or to quietly offer support until they find the strength to stand on their own again. In every sense, Odin embodies love: patient, unconditional, and unwavering.

  • A group of men, some wearing vest with 'Combat Veterans' logo, are gathered around a white horse outdoors, with one man touching its neck and another pointing toward it.

    THOR

    WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

    Percheron gelding and Derek’s very first horse—making him a true cornerstone of our herd and our story. Confident and full of personality, Thor knows he’s impressive and absolutely loves to show off, especially when there’s an audience.

    Despite his larger-than-life presence, Thor is a big softie at heart. He’s generous with affection and always happy to make a new friend—particularly if that friend happens to have cookies. Thor’s combination of confidence, humor, and warmth makes him an instant favorite and a powerful reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated… sometimes it’s as simple as showing up, sharing a moment, and maybe a treat or two.

Participation begins with a brief introductory conversation to ensure the right fit and answer any questions.

Before scheduling, all participants complete a short intake form and provide service verification.

Once confirmed, we coordinate your first visit.

Participation is provided at no cost.

A PLACE TO BREATHE

GETTING STARTED

STANDING WITH THOSE WHO SERVE

This mission is sustained entirely by those who believe service deserves support.