The Greater Petawawa Civitan Club has donated $7,000 to the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation to support an equine-assisted therapy program for local residents in Renfrew County. This latest contribution brings the club’s total support for the initiative to more than $20,000 over the past few years.
The funding supports the Assertive Community Treatment Team, a specialized service for adults aged 18 and older who are living with severe and persistent mental disorders. Many of these individuals struggle to engage with traditional clinical services, and the equine program offers an alternative, hands-on approach to support their mental health and recovery.
The therapy sessions are delivered in partnership with Greener Pastures Equine Programs Inc., a veteran-founded nonprofit established in 2019. The organization was inspired by the legacy of Sapper Sean “Greener” Greenfield, who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2009. The group recently reached a milestone by purchasing its own farm, which will allow it to expand services and ensure long-term care for the horses involved in the therapy.
Kristy Melcher, a concurrent specialist for the local treatment team and the lead for the equine program, accepted the donation from club president Darlene Lambert. The program is part of the broader Mental Health Services of Renfrew County, which is administered by the hospital and provides public health support at no cost to residents aged 16 and older.
Beyond its work with the hospital, the therapy provider has partnered with various groups in the region, including veterans, the Youth Wellness Hub, and personnel from Garrison Petawawa.
