September 2, 2015 Solvang, California: Monty Roberts, founder of Join-Up® International, and the Board of Directors of the California non-profit corporation, were pleased to announce a much-needed grant of $50,000 from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF). The grant will help cover the costs of the Horse Sense and Healing clinics for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress injuries.
Joseph VanFonda (USMC SgtMaj Ret.), CEO of DVNF, said, “Join-Up’s mission is both unique, and for many of our nation’s veterans, it is also life-changing. The impact this program has on the lives of veterans is one DVNF is glad to support.” VanFonda also expressed that it is the hope of DVNF that this grant helps with Join-Up International’s continuous commitment to the veterans’ community.
Marsha St. Clair, the member of the Board of Directors who corresponded with DVNF to obtain the grant was excited to share the news of the generosity of the foundation, saying “We urge those of you who believe in and support our program, Horse Sense and Healing, to spread the word about how both organizations together are making a difference to help our Veterans in need.”
Monty Roberts, renowned horse gentler, began running free-of-charge, resilience-building workshops for veterans and their families in 2010. The three-day program involves working closely with horses. The individuals and horses develop a special bond built upon mutual trust and respect. Join-Up offers everyone an effective tool to rediscover themselves through the eyes of the horse. This self-awareness exercise deals effectively with emotional trauma, anti-social behavior, withdrawal, anger, stress and Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI).
Roberts holds two Ph.Ds in Behavioral Sciences. In these workshops, he demonstrates the deep healing power of establishing a trusting relationship with horses without the use of force. Roberts assists veterans as they learn to develop a partnership with the horse. After three transformational days, veterans can better understand how to control their anger, confront painful memories, cope with real-life situations, and move on with their lives and relationships.
“Because the Horse Sense and Healing clinics are free-of-charge to veterans, donations and grants are the only sources of income to help Join-Up International put more deserving veterans and their families through the program,” said Debbie Loucks, Director of Development.
Executive Director, Pat Roberts, is looking forward to hosting the next three day clinic September 11-13. She urges those who want to learn more to go to www.join-up.org/veterans.
For more information, email admin@join-up.org or call 805-688-6288 Pacific Standard Time.
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Join-Up International is a California 501 (c) (3) organization (tax ID 77-0459889) founded by world renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts. Join-Up is dedicated to promoting gentle, effective alternatives to violence and force in both equine and human relationships. In 2012 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became a patron of Join-Up International and we are deeply grateful for the support we receive from both Her Majesty and the members of our board.
Join-Up philosophies can be seen at work with both humans and horses across the world from farms to major corporations. To learn more about Monty Roberts or the many applications of his Join-Up training methods, visit www.montyroberts.com. Horse Sense and Soldiers aired on Discovery Military highlighting the therapeutic effect that horses and Monty Roberts’ Join-Up® have on PTSD. Monty’s Horse Sense and Healing program for military and first responder personnel with stress injuries are detailed here www.join-up.org/veterans.
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom.
DVNF achieves this mission by:
- Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose missions align with that of DVNF.
- Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.
- Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled to as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.
- Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community, and educating the public accordingly.
MONTY ROBERTS AVAILABLE FOR SELECT INTERVIEWS: The New York Times bestselling author and world renowned horse trainer Monty Roberts is available for interviews.
MONTY ROBERTS first gained widespread fame with the release of his New York Times Best Selling book, The Man Who Listens To Horses; a chronicle of his life and development of his non-violent horse training methods called Join-Up®. Monty grew up on a working horse farm as a firsthand witness to traditional, often violent methods of horse training and breaking the spirit with an abusive hand. Rejecting that, he went on to win nine world’s championships in the show ring. Today Monty’s goal is to share his message that ”Violence is never the answer.” Roberts has been encouraged by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, with the award of the Membership in The Royal Victorian Order. Other honors received were the ASPCA “Founders” award and the MSPCA George T. Angell Humanitarian Award. Monty is credited with launching the first of its kind Equus Online University an interactive online lesson site that is the definitive learning tool for violence-free training.
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