Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center Receives Check For More Than $7k

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

July 21, 2022

Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center has received a check for more than $7,000 from the Southington Legion Kiltonic Post 72 Auxiliary in support of their veterans’ therapy program.

The check, which was for $7,700 was presented June 8 to Shelly Whitlock-Pope, executive director at Shepard Meadows, by American Auxiliary Unit 72 of Southington President Marsha McCarty and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chair Lydia DeGumbia.

“They’ve always been great friends to us,” said Whitlock-Pope. “They worked diligently and held a lot of fundraisers for us. They also sponsored a horse, Moses, for us last year.”

DeGumbia had applied for a grant from the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation for $6,000. The remainder of the money was raised by the local Auxiliary.

"Congratulations to American Legion Auxiliary Unit 72 Southington and The American Legion Auxiliary Foundation for doing a great job and for continuous support for the veterans program," said DeGumbia.

The money will be used for a new stable for the horses in the veterans' therapy program. Whitlock-Pope explained that people that wish to support Shepard Meadows can raise money to sponsor the stalls or other parts of the stable.

“There will be 14 stables and 11 of them are now sponsored,” said Whitlock-Pope.

McCarty said that DeGumbia, a former president of the state Legion Auxiliary, helped to get the veterans program at Shepard Meadows started four years ago.

"Getting it started was her pet project," said McCarty. "We are glad to see the program getting support. The horses are beautiful animals and help a lot of veterans with PTSD and other problems they may have. There are veterans who come to Shepard Meadows almost daily."

According to Whitlock-Pope, the veterans program is offered at no cost to veterans and their families. The center seeks to provide those who engage in their programs with mounted or un-mounted horsemanship programs that enrich their participants' emotional, social, recreational, physical and educational lives.

“Horses live in the moment; they don’t judge, and they are completely honest," Whitlock-Pope said previously. "They know exactly how we are feeling, even if we lack awareness or complete understanding ourselves. They are natural, thoughtful and reflective teachers, who are willing, open-hearted, patient, instinctively nonjudgmental and responsive. They are honest communicators, living in the moment, and can provide wisdom and natural healing."

Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center is located at 733 Hill St.

For more information on Shepard Meadows, call 860-314-0007 or visit shepardmeadows.org.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.