Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services

10/08/2026

A story of a man . A warrior poet , Executive Director of a Veteran Non Profit and now a Busker!!

To good not to share

(Thor)
Something happened last night.
Nothing earth-shattering, at least not to anyone watching. But for me, it was one of those moments when you realize you've accomplished something you've admired your entire life.

I've always been fascinated by buskers. Street musicians, wandering troubadours, free spirits who make their way through the world with little more than their talents and the courage to share them.

Its not really for how well they play or sing, but because of the extraordinary strength it takes to stand in front of complete strangers and hang your soul out there, naked, with nothing more than a song.

Hoping for a smile. Hoping to make a connection. Hoping to watch a small child dance.

There's such beauty in that, and the bravery? Well, I've always admired that. The world isn't always kind to street performers.
Ive had people walk past, ignore me, judge me, and literally tell me I suck.

But you stand there anyway.

No stage. No curtain. No one introducing you. Just you, your instrument, and whatever the world decides to give you back.
I've played music in different places and different countries, but last night something changed.

Standing on a sidewalk in New London with my guitar, I realized I could walk into just about any crowd of strangers, pull out my guitar, and simply start singing. No embarrassment. No fear of what people might think. Just the freedom and joy of sharing a song.

And I realized something else. That I became part of another tribe thats a thousand years old.

Those wild, brave, gypsys that I've admired for so long.

I'm finally a busker.

10/08/2026

VETS Ambassador Tom Montgomery representing our organization proudly, all the way from Hawaii . Thank you for carrying the Flag 🇺🇸

10/05/2026

Some mornings, healing doesn't look like doing more. It looks like doing less.

It looks like standing still in the morning light. Hand on a horse. Listening to the earth beneath you and the quiet rhythm of another breath next to yours.

At Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services, we believe in that kind of morning. A serene place in southeastern Connecticut where veterans, service members, first responders and their families can find grounding through equine and agricultural connection. At no cost, and at your own pace.
Just come as you are. The horses will meet you there.

VETSUSA.ORG

10/04/2026

VETS had a quiet but productive morning at the farm yesterday—getting chores done, sharing meaningful conversations, and simply enjoying each other’s company. From there, we headed over to the other farm to fill hay bags and spend some time with the mini-donkeys.

While we didn’t work directly with our equine partners today, that didn’t take away from the joy of being together at the farm. Sometimes it’s the simple moments—working side by side, connecting, laughing, and enjoying the animals—that make a day meaningful.

At VETS, we believe there is value in every visit, whether we’re actively working with our equine partners or simply sharing time, community, and the peace of the farm.

Interested in learning more about our program? Reach out to us here on Facebook or visit VETSCT.ORG.

10/04/2026

10/02/2026

HEART OF THE BEAST — MORE THAN A SURVIVAL MOVIE

I went into Heart of the Beast expecting a good Brad Pitt adventure movie. And on that level, it absolutely delivers. It is fast, physical and almost relentless at times.

But I came out of the theater thinking about something much bigger.

At the center of the movie is the relationship between a Special Operations veteran and his combat dog, Odin. We ask an incredible amount from military working dogs—placing them into aircraft, gunfire, explosions and environments no animal would ever choose to enter on its own. They go because we ask them to go, and because of the extraordinary relationship that can develop between humans and animals.

Watching it also made me think about the horses we work with at Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services. We can become so focused on what we want from an animal that we forget to ask what the experience means to them.

Compliance is not necessarily the same thing as connection.

The movie also hit another nerve for me as an Outdoor School instructor: preparedness. Fire starting, shelter building, navigation, first aid, knowing your equipment—and understanding that just because you are no longer in the business of war doesn’t mean you should stop being in the business of being prepared.

And perhaps the simplest lesson:
Nature isn’t cruel. Nature isn’t trying to kill you. Nature simply doesn’t care.

I ended up writing quite a bit about the movie—from combat dogs and therapeutic horses to survival skills, preparedness, veterans and why our relationships with animals can matter so much.

I posted the full review on the V.E.T.S. website here:
https://vetsct.org/883-2/

If you’ve seen Heart of the Beast, I’d love to hear what you thought as well. Leave your thoughts in the comments.

09/30/2026

as I reflect on Monday's 3rd Annual VETS Golf Classic, I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this prestigious award as the very first recipient of the Niko Alevras Unicorn Award for Extraordinary Service. Thank you from the bottom of my heart . …………..……….………………..……

(FROM V.E.T.S)
I'd like to talk about something incredibly rare. A unicorn.

In mythology, unicorns are extraordinary, rare, magical, and almost impossible to find. Every once in a great while, one actually shows up. At VETS, we found one.

Every organization has volunteers. But once in a lifetime, you find someone who doesn't just volunteer. He shows up for everything. He gives his time, his energy, and his heart, and makes you wonder how he puts more than 24 hours into a day. He never asks for recognition. He simply believes so deeply in our mission and our veterans that going above and beyond is just who he is.

We've been calling him a unicorn for quite some time, so we decided to make it official. His name is Niko Alevras.

Today we are proud to announce the creation of the Niko Alevras Unicorn Award for Extraordinary Service. This award will forever bear his name and will recognize those rare individuals whose dedication to our veterans is truly extraordinary.
And who better to receive the very first award than the original unicorn himself.

09/29/2026

SADDLE UP! V.E.T.S. IS HEADING TO THE BISON BROOK RODEO! 🇺🇸
Come visit us October 2nd & 3rd at the Bison Brook Rodeo in North Stonington, CT!
Stop by our booth, say HOWDY, grab some V.E.T.S. merchandise, and help us continue our mission of preventing veteran su***de through horses, camaraderie, and community.
We'll have our V.E.T.S. crew on hand, so come meet us, support a great cause, and enjoy a weekend of rodeo action and cowboy fun!
Good people. Great cause. Cowboy spirit.
Every purchase supports our mission, and every conversation helps spread the word.
VETSusa.org
SEE Y'ALL AT THE RODEO!

09/29/2026

On behalf of Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (V.E.T.S.), we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who joined us yesterday for the 3rd Annual V.E.T.S. Golf Classic at Lake of Isles in North Stonington, CT.

Despite the weather, we had a magnificent turnout and we are incredibly thankful for the support from our participants, volunteers, and community.

A very special thank you to our Title Sponsor - MDA UAW Local 571, Marine Draftsmen Association - Designers of the World's Finest Submarines - for your exceptional generosity and leadership.

And to our Gold Sponsor - Holmgren Subaru - thank you for your continued support.
We would also like to proudly recognize all of our sponsors and community partners who made this event possible:
Galaxy Discount Flooring Kitchens & Baths • Bob Valenti Automall • Anchor • Veterans K9 Equine Alliance • Right of Way Solutions LLC • Dominion Energy - Millstone Power Station • Rebellion Barber Co. • FASTSIGNS Waterford • Evering Electric LLC • Surfside • Dime Bank • GOATS • Mike Brodeur & Shawn Santomenno • Mike & Sabrina Gray • Beard Octane • Sullivan Trucking, Bronx, New York • Montville Power LLC• CRITICAL
Screenprinting + Embroidery

We would also like to extend a special recognition to Shadow Media for the photography and videography of the day's events. They truly captured the essence of camaraderie and what it means to be part of the tribe.

Your generosity and support directly advance our mission to serve veterans and first responders and their families through equine therapeutic services. We are truly grateful and look forward to seeing you again next year.
• The V.E.T.S. Team

For more information on our veteran non profit , please visit us at VETSUSA.ORG