Horses Can Read Emotions
Did you know horses can read emotions? This is one of the things that never fails to amaze me about this work. When a veteran steps into the arena carrying stress, grief, or anger they may not even have words for yet, the horse already knows. And it responds with exactly what is needed in […]
Meet the Herd: Sunny
Every horse at Little Blessings carries a purpose. Sunny carries something even deeper. He is named after one of my dearest friends and fellow pilots from the 180th. His call sign was Sunny. When we brought this horse home, I reached out to his wife and asked if I could honor him this way. She […]
Beyond the Mission: Strong Doesn’t Mean OK
Back with another 60 Seconds of Truth. Just because a veteran looks like they have it together does not mean they do. Jamie gets real about what strength actually looks like behind the surface and why the most powerful thing you can do is simply sit down and have a conversation. Watch this one. It […]
Beyond the Mission: The Invisible Wound
Beyond the Mission is back, and we are starting something new. Jamie is kicking off a new series within Beyond the Mission called 60 Seconds Truth. And the first topic is one that does not get talked about enough: invisible wounds. Some wounds are visible. The world can see them. But so many veterans carry […]
Beyond the Mission: Light Talk
Welcome back to Beyond the Mission. Today, we’re highlighting Light Talk, a space created to bring faith into the healing journey at Little Blessings. Our board member, Bob, a mid-70s Air Force veteran and trusted spiritual advisor, helped shape this program from the heart. After walking alongside this organization and serving as a guide through […]
Beyond the Mission: Men’s Program
Our men’s program was created for one simple reason. The veterans asked for more. 💯 After completing the 50-week veteran program, many of our guys didn’t want to walk away. They wanted continued connection, continued growth, and a place where they could keep moving forward together. So we listened. And we built it. This new […]
Behind the Scenes @ LBVO
Ever wonder what really happens during equine-assisted therapy at Little Blessings? Here is a behind-the-scenes look. We operate under the EAGALA model, which means every session includes a licensed mental health therapist, an equine specialist, the horses, and the veteran. Those four components work together as one team inside the arena. What you see in […]
Women: Reins of Resilience
Reins of Resilience is our women’s program, created with intention, care, and honesty. There are parts of military service that are rarely spoken about. Military sexual trauma is one of them. It is real, it is present, and it has affected many of the women who walk through our doors. This program exists to acknowledge […]
Beyond the Mission: Teen Rally Co.
In this episode of Beyond the Mission, Jamie introduces Teen Rally Co., a new program created for military teens ages 14 to 18. Rally Co. is a military term for a place to meet, collaborate, and support one another. That meaning is at the heart of this program. Teen Rally Co. is led by a […]
Beyond the Mission: Community Dinners
Some of the most meaningful moments at Little Blessings happen around the dinner table. Our community dinners bring veterans, families, and the civilian community together in a way that feels easy and real. Shared food, shared stories, and the simple reminder that no one is meant to do life alone. Each month, a local business […]
Beyond the Mission
Welcome back to Beyond the Mission. Since January, Little Blessings has grown in powerful ways. In this episode, Jamie walks through the programs that now make up the heart of our work and how each one supports veterans and their families at every stage. It begins with our 50-week equine-assisted therapy program for veterans. From […]
Jamie Paxton’s Healing Journey: From Service to Restoration
For 25 years, I proudly served in the United States Air Force. Wearing the uniform gave me purpose and belonging. When I retired in 2017, that sense of identity began to fade. The transition to civilian life was harder than I ever expected. I found myself carrying invisible wounds and memories that wouldn’t let go. […]