More Than a Building: Creating Our Veterans Basecamp- Campaign Launch
- Reigning Hope Ranch
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Just five minutes from Reigning Hope Ranch in Orrington, Maine- something important is taking shape.
At first glance, it might look like just a building. A gathering space. Maybe even a clubhouse.
But that’s not what we’re building.
We’re building a place where Veterans don’t feel like they have to explain themselves. A place where they can walk in, sit down, and feel understood—without saying a word.
The Reality in Our Own Backyard
In Penobscot County, Veterans make up 8.6% of the population. That’s thousands of men and women who have served, returned home, and are now part of our everyday communities.
At the same time, here in Penobscot County:
13.3% of adults report frequent poor mental health
31.2% of adults age 65+ live alone
Mental health has been identified as the top community concern in county health assessments
These numbers don’t just sit on paper. They show up as isolation. As long days without connection. As people quietly carrying more than they should have to carry alone.
And when someone does decide to reach out for help, they often run into another barrier: Time.
Average VA mental health wait times: 33–43 days
Some Maine providers report waits of several months—or longer.
That gap matters.
Because when someone is ready for support, waiting weeks or months can mean they simply stop trying.
Why This Approach Is Different
Right now, there is at least one clearly documented equine therapy provider in Penobscot County—Reigning Hope Ranch.
One.
In a county this large, with this level of need. That’s not enough.
But what’s happening at our ranch here in Orrington is powerful—and it’s working.
Research shows that over half of Veterans participating in equine-assisted therapy experience meaningful reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms that lasted for more than three months. Beyond the data, we see it firsthand:
A Veteran standing quietly beside a horse like Tripp or Willow… and beginning to relax. A conversation that starts without pressure. Trust rebuilding in small, steady moments- no riding required.
Horses don’t ask questions. They don’t judge. They respond to what’s real.
And for so many Veterans, that’s where healing actually begins.
So Why a Basecamp?
Because not every Veteran is ready to walk into a therapy session.
But many would walk into a place that feels:
Welcoming, not clinical
Consistent, not complicated
Social, but not overwhelming
Supportive, without pressure
Accessible, without a lot of paperwork or questions
That’s what Veterans Basecamp is designed to be.
A place where a veteran, first responder or military spouse can join us for a cup of coffee at our free weekly coffee gatherings…Stay for a conversation…Come back the next week…And slowly rebuild something that’s been missing: Connection.
At Veterans Basecamp we’ll host:
Free Weekly Coffee & Connect gatherings
Veteran-focused events and fundraisers
Peer connection opportunities
Access to a licensed clinician in a familiar, trusted space
Non-therapy co-regulation sessions with a skilled instructor
Direct connection to equine-assisted experiences at the ranch
No barriers. No expectations. No riding. Just a place to show up.
Why This Matters to Businesses and Community
This is where you come in—and this is where this becomes bigger.
Veterans Basecamp is not a short-term project.
It’s an investment in:
Community stability
Workforce resilience
Family health
Long-term regional well-being
When Veterans are supported, the impact extends far beyond the individual.
It reaches their families. Their workplaces. Their communities.
And right now, this region has a clear gap—and a clear opportunity to fill it.
We’re not starting from scratch.
We already have the land & an amazing herd of trained equine partners. We already have the mission. We already have the proof that this model works.
What we need now is the community—and the business leaders—who are willing to help build it.
This Is the Moment
This isn’t about creating another program. It’s about creating a place that will still be here five, ten, twenty years from now—quietly doing the work that matters.
A place where a Veteran can walk in and feel like they belong. That kind of place doesn’t happen by accident. It gets built—by people who decide it’s worth it.
If you’re a business owner, donor, or community leader who understands the value of investing in people, we invite you to be part of this from the beginning.
Because this is more than a building. And once it exists, it will change lives—one conversation, one connection, one visit at a time.
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