Rural Retreat Offers Veterans a Path to Healing Through Horses and Nature
Former Navy engineer Amy Vickers has transformed her personal journey of recovery into a lifeline for other veterans, earning Tasmania's Rural Women's Award for her innovative retreat program. After being medically discharged from the Navy in February 2022, Ms Vickers moved to the quiet village of Gladstone in Tasmania's northeast, where an unexpected gift—a horse named Alby—sparked a profound healing process.
From Warships to Horse Paddocks: A Veteran's Transformation
With a 26-year career in the Navy, rising to Chief Petty Officer and supervising aircraft and engineering teams, Ms Vickers faced significant stress and injury. "I had a connection to this beautiful animal," she said, describing how Alby mirrored her own tension. "Learning to regulate myself around her and build a connection became an absolute dream." This experience inspired her to create Well Beyond Service, an organisation that hosts rural retreats for veterans leaving the defence force.
How the Retreat Program Works
The retreats tap into the therapeutic power of nature, animals, rest, and reflection. Participants engage in a variety of activities designed to ease the transition from military to civilian life:
- Interacting with horses to build trust and emotional regulation
- Participating in art and yoga sessions for creative expression and relaxation
- Spending time by the beach for mindfulness and connection with the environment
- Undertaking structured therapy to address the psychological impacts of high-pressure work
Ms Vickers explained the challenge veterans face: "You have to hang up your jacket, close the door on your role and purpose, a known and safe community, to go into an unknown. When the job ends, there is that really big question of 'what now?'"
Community Support and National Recognition
The Gladstone community has rallied behind the program, with locals contributing resources like food and firewood. "The people who come out to the program are cared for by a community they don't even know," Ms Vickers noted, emphasising the importance of giving back to those who have served. Her award win highlights the value of using lived experience to support others, with similar honours given to winners in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia for their contributions to rural communities.
The national AgriFutures award will be announced in Canberra in September, further recognising innovative efforts in rural Australia. This story underscores the growing movement to address veteran well-being through holistic, community-driven approaches.
