Vet Fest Highlights Services for Those Who Served
A broad range of services was presented over the weekend at a special event with the mission of preventing suicide among the area’s military veterans. Hosted at the Pal-o-Mine Ranch in Islandia, the “Vet Fest” was sponsored by the Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition and featured over three dozen organizations available to those who served.
“It’s good to see that these services are out there for our veterans,” said Haydee Feliciano of Babylon, a retired Air Force Major. “Taking care of those who served is a top priority, and I'm glad to see so many organizations dedicated to this mission.”
The Pal-o-Mine Ranch has been around since 1995, using horses and other animals in a farm setting to assist veterans, first responders, and others in crisis, including adults and children. “The suicide prevention coalition came to us for space to hold the Vet Fest, and we were all too happy to have them here,” said ranch founder Lisa Gati. “Long Island is fortunate to have so many services and activities to help people heal.”
Representatives of federal, state, and county offices providing veteran services attended the event, along with private and charitable groups handing out brochures and contact information.
Major Feliciano participated in a weekend Women Veterans Retreat where she spent time with fellow service members. “I met new people and shared some stories,” said the military nurse who served in Iraq during Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch. The retreat offered activities in horsemanship, nutrition, Yoga, Reiki, and healing, the Major said.
The Pal-o-Mine ranch hosts about 400 guests weekly and thousands since its beginning. “In addition to our staff and 25 horses, we have chickens, donkeys, and mini horses as part of our healing team,” Gati said, explaining their animal-assisted therapy approach.