TIMBERVILLE, Va. (WHSV) – In the Shenandoah Valley, veterans and first responders are finding peace and purpose in an unexpected place, alongside horses, mules, and the quiet rhythm of the farm.
At Breaking Free, a nonprofit in Timberville, co-founders Paul and Jenny Foltz use equine-assisted learning to help participants manage PTSD, anxiety, and other trauma-related challenges. The program pairs veterans and first responders with horses in hands-on sessions designed to rebuild trust and promote emotional healing.
“We work with veterans and first responders. They come out here and work with the animals; it helps them with PTSD, anxiety, and other disorders,” Jenny Foltz said. “We have a licensed therapist, who [also] works with us, but really, the horses are the main therapists themselves.”
The couple started Breaking Free in 2010 after realizing the powerful effect their animals had on people struggling with trauma. Over the years, they’ve witnessed many moments of transformation.
“It’s amazing what the animals can do,” Paul Foltz said. “We had one veteran who stuttered after a traumatic experience. He started talking to one of the horses while grooming it, and the stutter just went away. Another veteran who never left her house said she just needed some ‘horse rubbin’ time.’ It changes people.”
The nonprofit offers all of its services free of charge and relies entirely on donations and fundraisers. Paul and Jenny say no prior horse experience is needed and participants can move at their own pace, whether it takes days or weeks to connect with an animal.
For Breaking Free, the mission is simple; to give back to the men and women who have served, by letting a few gentle giants help them find their way forward.
“If we can just get them here the first time, that’s it,” Jenny said.
“Some take weeks before they even touch a horse, but once they do, that connection just takes over.” Paul said.
If you are interested in equine-assisted therapy, you can contact the organization at 540-896-8505 or email them at jfoltz.breakingfree@gmail.com.
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