Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) and Veterans Equine Therapeutic Services (VETS) recently hosted the 3rd Annual Ruck-Up event, a gathering of veterans and active-duty service members aimed at fostering camaraderie, skill-building and fellowship. This transformative two-day event, which is hosted at the Ruck-Up Veterans Adventure School in southern Connecticut, offers participants an opportunity to engage in equine therapy, outdoor bushcrafting skills, traditional archery and firearm training, all within a supportive and empowering environment.
“It was an honor to partner with VETS, founded by their Executive Director Thor Torgersen, to host such an impactful event,” said Tom Taylor, HAVA chairman and executive director. “The Ruck-Up is so unique and challenges these veterans and active-duty service members to stretch their limits by participating in several skill-building activities. Our participants love that this event drives comradery, while also encouraging them to reach outside their comfort zone.”
Ruck Up is made possible through the generous support of partners such as Lighthouse Homestead and Stables and the Niantic Sportsman’s Club, as well as numerous local businesses and volunteers. These partnerships ensure the continued success and impact of the event to address the sense of loss of purpose and community often experienced by veterans as they transition back to civilian life.
Through sessions in equine therapy, participants explore personal empathy, emotional management and nonverbal communication while working with horses. Outdoor wilderness skills sessions teach discipline, preparedness and an adventurous mindset during stressful situations. Archery and competitive shooting courses focus on mindfulness, discipline and follow-through, culminating in competitive skeet shooting and pistol competitions.
HAVA was founded by some of the shooting and outdoor industry’s finest companies with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through shooting events, hunts and other outdoor sports activities.
