Operation Horses Heal Awarded Grant from LB Charitable Foundation to Support Equine-Assisted Programs for Veterans and Military Families

Operation Horses Heal is honored to announce it has been awarded a generous grant from the LB Charitable Foundation in support of its mission to bring inclusive support to Veterans, active service members, and their immediate families through equine-related activities.

This funding will help expand Operation Horses Heal’s unique programming, which offers Veterans and military families meaningful, non-riding interactions with horses and donkeys. These experiences are designed to promote connection, rejuvenation, and a sense of belonging in a peaceful rural setting. Participants engage in hands-on, low-pressure activities that foster personal growth, trust-building, and emotional restoration.

“This grant allows us to continue creating safe and welcoming spaces for Veterans and their families to reconnect—with themselves, with others, and with the natural world,” said Rachael Loucks, Co-Director of Operation Horses Heal. “We are deeply grateful to the LB Charitable Foundation for recognizing the value of our work and helping us grow our impact.”

Programs at Operation Horses Heal are always sober-friendly, inclusive, and offered at no cost to participants. With the support of the LB Charitable Foundation, the organization can continue to remove financial barriers and ensure that all eligible participants—regardless of background or experience—can access the benefits of equine-assisted services.

The grant will also support expanded outreach to rural and underserved Veteran populations across northern Wisconsin, as well as strengthen collaborations with local and regional Veteran service organizations. Whether through small group sessions, family events, or seasonal offerings like Campfire with the Herd, Operation Horses Heal is committed to creating consistent and community-focused opportunities for connection and support.

This award from the LB Charitable Foundation is a meaningful investment in the mental, emotional, and social well-being of those who have served—and those who stand beside them. Operation Horses Heal extends its deepest thanks to the Foundation for helping further this important work.

You can view a list of generous donors and sponsors who make this mission possible here. We could not do this without the individuals and partners who fund and volunteer for our programs!