1. The Bridge Center
470 Pine St.
Bridgewater, MA. 02324
508-697-7557
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Feb. 14, 2016 Ann Mayers
Development Coordinator
508-697-7557 ext. 22
AMayers@TheBridgeCtr.org
The Bridge Center is providing a new therapeutic program for veterans
BRIDGEWATER, MA. - The Bridge Center is currently launching an equine therapy program to
assist the veteran population on the south shore of Massachusetts. Veterans suffering from
physical or psychological issues can get the individual help they need to adjust back into civilian
life from their structured military life. This program will begin enrollment on September 6,
2016. The program is hosted at The Bridge Center’s facilities located at 470 Pine Street
Bridgewater, MA 02324. Individual lessons are scheduled by appointment during the riding
center’s hours of operations, Monday-Sunday 9:00AM to 6:00 PM.
The Bridge Center’s website states, “Benefits of our Equine Services for Heroes program
include cognitive and emotional benefits such as stress reduction and self-confidence; and
physical benefits such as improved balance, and endurance” (“Equine Services for Heroes”,
n.d.). By hosting programs that veterans can actively engage in, The Bridge Center is providing
services to an often overlooked demographic.The veteran community must be reached by the
beginning of April 2016, which will mark the end of the current winter session and the beginning
of the next. The program will only be offered as long as there is an interest in it within the
community. Money earned from program enrollment fees must be sufficient enough to cover the
cost of its services; otherwise the program may be cancelled. The Bridge Center is offering
participants a, “15% discount applied with proper military identification at time of billing”
(“Equine Services for Heroes”, n.d.). Therefore the program must have a high enrollment rate to
compensate for the revenue losses from discounted enrollment fees.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Massachusetts was home to
379,772 veterans in late 2014 and that number was predicted to consistently increase over time
(“National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics”, 2014). Ann Mayers, the development
coordinator for The Bridge Center, voiced the organization’s belief that there is a serious lack of
support systems offered to this veteran community, and that issue needs to be addressed (A.
Mayers, personal communication, Feb. 10, 2016). The Equine Services for Heroes Program
provides veterans the opportunity to address issues they developed while fighting for this
country. Veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms so many of us take for
granted. By providing this program to those conflicted with issues as a result of their service,
The Bridge Center offers support to these individuals as a way of showing them gratitude for
their service. These heroes and the problems that plague them are generally overlooked by the
majority. The Bridge Center strives to bring attention to this issue and expand the support

2. systems available to the men and women that fought to protect the liberties we as a country hold
so valuable.
The Equine Services for Heroes program is offered year-round as long as there is a high enough
enrollment rate. The program ranges in price from $35 to $60 depending on what lessons a
participant wants to take. An unmounted lesson costs $35, a riding lesson costs $50, and a
driving lesson is $60. The current program session ends on March 31st (“Equine Therapy for
Heroes, n.d.). Specific details regarding the particular dates and times of the next session will be
made available by The Bridge Center in the near future.
According to its official website, “The Bridge Center was founded in 1963 by the Knights of
Pythias under the name Handi-Kids. A non-profit, tax-exempt organization, The Bridge Center
and its founders have a collective vision to be a leader within the recreation community serving
as a resource for community members with disabilities and their families alike” (“About Us”,
n.d.). It provides valuable services facilitating veterans and individuals with disabilities to live to
their fullest potential. To learn more about the organization please visit the official webpage as
well as the Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts created by the organization.