Horses and healing

U.S. Army veteran Daniel Hermsen poses with miniature horse Fancy, a roughly 20-year-old female, during a Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy gathering on July 7, 2026, in Ocala. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

U.S. Army veteran Daniel Hermsen was in a self-described dark place while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder until Fancy laid her head on his shoulder.  

“It’s all good now. Fancy helped heal my soul,” Hermsen said.

Fancy is a roughly 20-year-old, blonde, 30-plus-inches tall, female miniature horse, who is part of the stable of miniature and quarter horses used in the Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy nonprofit started by Dawn and Ray Lomelo and their son Dylan.

Hermsen, 57, served in the Army from 1989 to 1994 and then left the military to work in the trucking industry. He rejoined the Army in 2008 until his medical retirement in 2016. He served in transportation and logistics and was deployed to locations including the Persian Gulf, Korea, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he has been “blown up, shot at” and diagnosed with PTSD. At one point he was drinking excessively. 

The equine program, which will celebrate its first anniversary on July 29, is based at the Lomelo’s 13-acre ranch in the Bradford Farms Community in southwest Marion County. Several acres adjacent to a spacious horse barn have been converted to allow walks and rides with the horses and a three acre “mini boot camp” is set up with walk and ride through features. An outdoor sitting area is available for gatherings.

Participants can ride the quarter horses and walk and groom the minis in a relaxed atmosphere. Equine trainer Kendall Klein is on hand to assist program participants.

Dawn Lomelo, who moved to Ocala from Long Island, New York, in 2024, discussed in an email how the equine program started. 

“When my son (Dylan Lomelo, now 24) graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2024 and began his career as a Navy officer, I made a promise to God. I prayed that He would watch over and protect my son while he served our country and, in return, I promised that I would dedicate my life to serving others—especially our veterans, military families and those in need within our community. That promise became Ponies For Patriots & Pint Size Therapy,” she wrote.

“Watching someone who may be struggling light up when they work with one of our minis is something I will never take for granted,” she stated.

Lomelo wrote that her miniature therapy horses have visited veterans organizations countywide, assisted living facilities and nursing homes and have been involved in community fundraisers and the recent 4th of July parade.

“We have also had some seniors from (a local assisted living facility) come in their minivan on a feed trip to our barn to visit and groom the horses,” she wrote in part. 

According to Joy Dean, life enrichment director with Bridgewater Park Health and Rehab, some of their residents recently visited the farm.

“The experience gave many of them the opportunity to reconnect with treasured memories from earlier in their lives. For residents who grew up on farms or around horses, being able to groom, pet, and feed the animals sparked meaningful conversations and stories from their pasts. Experiences like this are so important because they provide more than just a fun outing; they reconnect our residents with cherished memories and meaningful moments from their lives. Watching them smile as they groomed and fed the horses was truly special, Dean shared via email.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dawn and everyone at Pint Sized Ponies for Patriots for creating such a welcoming and accessible experience. Dawn thought of every detail, ensuring the farm could accommodate wheelchairs and making it possible for every resident to fully participate in the day’s activities. Her kindness and dedication made the visit truly unforgettable,” Dean wrote.

U.S. Air Force veteran Ira Anslow and his wife, Judy, participate in Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy for the outdoor fun and recreation, and said they enjoy sharing the experience with youth from their family.

Lomelo and Fancy were recently hosted at the Ocala headquarters of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County. She brought some food donations from members of the horse community and was given a certificate of appreciation from the organization.

“Vets Helping Vets is excited to partner with Ponies for Patriots, as the mini ponies bring hope, healing and restoration to Marion County Veterans,” stated Todd Belknap, executive director of Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County. 

Charles Calhoun, president of both the Marion County Veterans Council and the On Top of the World Veterans Club, is a lifelong horseman. He supports the program and has referred veterans to Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy, including Hermsen.

“The program has done wonders for veterans,” Calhoun said.   

Hermsen first met Fancy five months ago at an event during which she walked past him. Lomelo said a “special bond” was formed when Fancy stopped and put her head on his shoulder.

“Fancy may have felt my anxiety,” Hermsen said.

The therapeutic program provides a “healing connection,” Lomelo stated, for veterans and other participants with horses, especially the minis, which require no prior equine activity experience.

An Aug. 23, 2017, article, “The Therapeutic Value of Horses” in “Psychology Today” magazine, states: “Being in the barn grooming, feeding and otherwise caring for our horses reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves overall health. Yet, it is the companionship with our equine partners that is the foundation of our growth in relationship to these animals. Horses can be an emotional mirror for humans. They respond to the feeling state we show. They are herd and prey animals, which means that they have a strong emotional sense and use this sense as a survival tool; they feed off of and respond to other horses in the herd. If one horse in a herd is scared, the others will become frightened. They respond similarly to humans. If a person approaches a horse with anger, the horse will respond by shying away or becoming stubborn. Horses never hide their emotions. Because of these qualities, horses can be used to help people heal from a variety of psychological issues.”

Now, Hermsen said, he feels healing is taking place and his excessive use of alcohol has ended. He has become a member of the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard. His wife, Traci, a four-year Army veteran, also enjoys visiting the horses, he noted. 
  
“My whole soul feels better. This program gives me a purpose,” Hermsen said.

To learn more, find the nonprofit on social media at fb.com/profile.php?id=61581432595095 or email [email protected]