A Few Testimonials...
(please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtgzsihiw9A&t=1s to view Nate’s 3 minute video)
“Hillenglade has provided invaluable equine therapy to Fort Campbell’s Soldier Recovery Unit for years, and this visit was no exception. The Soldiers truly enjoyed their time with the horses. Jen and her team consistently go above and beyond, helping Soldiers quickly overcome hesitation with expert guidance. This program has long served the SRU community well.”
~ Ashley Redman, Occupational Therapy Assistant, SRU, Fort Campbell
“Thank you for all that you do, and all that you’ve done for Nate and our family. The devotion you have for creating a space for God to work his healing is inspiring and amazing. There aren’t words to fully express the appreciation we have for you and your work here at Hillenglade, but just know you have touched our lives truly with “Hope and Healing” and I have no doubts this will continue in the future with many others.”
~ Ashley Montgomery
“After reading a testimonial on the positive effects of Equine Therapy, I reached out to Jennifer O’Neill at Hope & Healing at Hillenglade to see about bringing my boys out to help them process the loss of my brother-in-law, and to understand the impact grief was having on their mother. The time the boys and I spent with Jennifer, Morgan, Billy, and the horses created an opportunity for the boys and I to have a really meaningful discussion about our family and our feelings. What was unexpected was how much I needed to be there to help me deal with my own emotions. Thank you, Jennifer. I loved that you were so passionate about wanting to help our family. I can’t wait for us to come back again.”
~ Blaine Harvey, Retired Command Sargent Major, US Army
“A few years ago, I chose to come off all psychotropic drugs—I'd been on something from the Military or VA since 1986. At HHH, I let go of control and just let things unfold. The horses gave me something I never found in a counselor’s office. Thank you, HHH, for giving God space to work through them.”
~ Darren Melching, Retired US Marine
“Jen..I want to thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to go through this life changing experience. You are an amazing woman, so loving and caring for others, and a woman of God. You are a light in this world and you help others to shine their light. I am so grateful for you and Merv being apart of my life. Thank you for everything.”
~ Nate Montgomery, HARVEST PROGRAM Graduate and HHH Ambassador
“We had a fantastic time with the Hillenglade family. It was just a blessing to see Jen work with my family and the horses. My husband, Charles, really had a good time; he had not been smiling like that in a loooooong time.”
~ Dee Waters, US Army
“Everyone at Hillenglade thanked us over and over for our military service, and loved on our kids like they were their own. It was so amazing.”
~ Rachel J., Military Wife
“In 2020, after an attempted suicide, I came to Hope and Healing at Hillenglade through the VA. The staff and horses helped me relax, refocus, and heal. Gaining an animal’s trust made me feel whole again. Now, as HHH’s Farm Manager, I hope to help others heal through time with our rescue horses and donkeys.”
~ William Bentrem, Specialist, US Army
“What you’ve created at Hillenglade for Nashville and our Veterans is the true spirit of charity and serving God. I fully support this mission and look forward to its growth—especially the chapel build, which I’d love to attend. When my mother visits this summer (she served in the Navy too), we’ll stop by. I’d like to rent her a suite so she can stay overnight. She’ll love it. God bless, and talk soon.”
~ N. Warren Steury
Since 2010, Ms. O’Neill has hosted over 4,000 Veterans and their families, including Gold Star Families suffering from their own PTSD. These guests at HHH experienced equine therapy’s magic, and the stories that I have heard have been nothing but remarkable. However, I had to see for myself, so I recently visited Ms. O’Neill’s farm and saw her in action. Ms. O’Neill ran an equine session with one of her rescue horses and a Veteran named Billy, who is suffering from severe PTSD. As Billy developed a relationship with the horse, it was clear that he alleviated his stress and became self-aware of the signals he was transmitting to the horse. Billy later responded that this one session would go a long way in helping him improve his interpersonal skills with family and friends. Right before my very eyes, I saw Billy’s transformation. I am personally devoting my time and B.R.A.V.E. resources to advance Ms. O’Neill’s outstanding and much-needed work to our nation’s heroes. We lose well over 22 Veterans daily to suicide. If we can save one life, my time with HHH will be more than worth the investment.”
~ Mark DeLuzio
“My name is Mark DeLuzio, and I am a Gold Star Father, having lost my son, Steven, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. I have started an outreach program to provide business and career advice to Veterans. This free service is called B.R.A.V.E. (Business Reviews and Advisors to Veteran Entrepreneurs) (www.4thebrave.org). B.R.A.V.E. also provides business advice to organizations designed to assist Veterans with various issues that they face. One of the most serious today is PTSD and suicide. Early this year, I was fortunate to meet actress and author, Jennifer O’Neill. I learned that Ms. O’Neill runs a horse farm in Nashville called Hope and Healing at Hillenglade (HHH).
Does someone you know need help?
Our programs are free for veterans, first responders, and their families. If someone you care about is struggling, let them know we’re here.
Want to help more stories like these come to life?
Right now, your donation goes twice as far — thanks to a generous match from The Henderson Foundation, every dollar you give is doubled. That means twice the healing, twice the impact.