Program Improvements That Expand Access and Care
RachaelAt Operation Horses Heal, growth is never about growth for its own sake — it’s about improving access, safety, and the quality of experiences we can offer Veterans and community members. Thanks to generous community support, we are excited to share two major program improvements that directly strengthen our work: an additional shelter for our horses and donkeys and the Mobile Outreach Unit coming to life.
Both improvements respond to real, practical needs and are grounded in research that highlights why environment, accessibility, and connection to nature matter.
Program Improvement #1: Additional Shelter for Horses and Donkeys
Our horses and donkeys are central to everything we do. Providing them with safe, comfortable, and adaptable shelter is not just an operational need — it is a welfare priority.
An additional shelter allows animals to:
- Seek protection from extreme weather, including heat, cold, wind, and precipitation
- Reduce physical stress and fatigue associated with prolonged exposure
- Exhibit natural choice and movement behaviors, which supports overall well‑being
Research consistently shows that access to shelter supports improved health and welfare outcomes for equines, particularly in regions with variable weather conditions (Heleski et al., 2015; American Association of Equine Practitioners [AAEP], 2020). Donkeys, in particular, have different thermoregulation needs than horses and benefit significantly from dry, well‑designed shelter options (The Donkey Sanctuary, 2018).
By expanding shelter capacity, Operation Horses Heal is ensuring that:
- Animals can participate in programs safely and comfortably
- Program schedules remain reliable despite weather changes
- Long‑term animal care aligns with best‑practice welfare standards
This improvement directly supports sustainability — healthy animals mean consistent programming and ethical stewardship.
Program Improvement #2: The Mobile Outreach Unit Comes to Life
While our farm is a powerful place for connection, we know that not everyone can get here. Transportation barriers, physical limitations, geographic distance, and time constraints can all prevent Veterans from accessing nature‑based experiences.
The launch of our Mobile Outreach Unit addresses this gap by allowing Operation Horses Heal to bring resources, engagement, and connection into communities across rural Wisconsin.
Research demonstrates that contact with nature — even brief or facilitated experiences — is associated with improved mood, reduced stress, and increased sense of connection and belonging (Bratman et al., 2019; Frumkin et al., 2017). Importantly, mobile and community‑based programs help ensure that these benefits are not limited to those with the ability to travel to a fixed location (James et al., 2015).
The Mobile Outreach Unit allows us to:
- Reach Veterans who cannot travel to the farm
- Participate in rural, community‑based events
- Reduce access inequities related to transportation and mobility
- Strengthen partnerships with local organizations
This improvement is about meeting people where they are — physically and practically — while still offering meaningful connection to animals, nature, and community.
Community Support Behind These Improvements
These program improvements are possible because of strong community partnerships.
We extend our sincere thanks to Buildings By Alpha for providing the custom building that supports the Mobile Outreach Unit and for their $500 sponsorship as part of this purchase. Their investment directly contributes to expanding access and strengthening program infrastructure.
We are also deeply grateful to the donors and grantors who supported the Mobile Outreach Unit and made this expansion possible:
- United Way of Taylor County
- Abby Bank
- Prevail Bank
- Overwatch Alliance
- Marshfield Community Foundation
- Ann Marie Foundation
- Enerquip
- Green Bay Packer Foundation
- Walmart Grants
- Klossner‑Dietzler VFW Post 5729
- VFW Community Grant
Each of these sponsors and grant partners can be viewed and visited through our Sponsors & Partners page, where we proudly recognize the organizations that help make our work possible.
We encourage our community to explore these partners and learn more about the businesses, foundations, and organizations investing in access, care, and connection across Wisconsin.
Looking Ahead
Together, these two improvements reflect a shared commitment to care and access — caring well for the animals who make our programs possible and expanding access for those who cannot come to us.
As we continue to grow thoughtfully, we remain focused on sustainability, equity, and responsible stewardship — ensuring that Operation Horses Heal can serve our community for years to come.
References
American Association of Equine Practitioners. (2020). Care guidelines for equines. AAEP.
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Daily, G. C. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances, 5(7), eaax0903. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
Frumkin, H., Bratman, G. N., Breslow, S. J., Cochran, B., Kahn, P. H., Lawler, J. J., Wood, S. A. (2017). Nature contact and human health: A research agenda. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(7), 075001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1663
Heleski, C. R., Stowe, C. J., Fiedler, J., Peterson, M. L., Brady, C. M., Wickens, C. L., & McBride, S. D. (2015). Thoroughbred racehorse welfare through the lens of industry stakeholders. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 18(2), 162–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2015.1017976
James, P., Banay, R. F., Hart, J. E., & Laden, F. (2015). A review of the health benefits of greenness. Current Epidemiology Reports, 2, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-015-0041-7
The Donkey Sanctuary. (2018). Donkey welfare guidelines. https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
