Horses help with healing: Veteran to discuss work of organization that aids service members
A veteran will share his story of how working with rescue horses helped him and his fellow service members during a special program on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.
Patrick Caligiuri, director of outreach and impact at Healing of our Veterans Equine Services of Swanton, Ohio, and program alumnus, will discuss the H.O.O.V.E.S. program from 1 to 2 p.m. in the museum auditorium. Admission is free.
The event is part of a weekend of special programming for President Rutherford B. Hayes birthday and America 250.
The special outdoor exhibit, “Eyes of Freedom,” opens at dawn on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Spiegel Grove, the grounds of Hayes Presidential and an accredited arboretum.
“Eyes of Freedom” honors the Lima Company U.S. Marine reserve unit with attached U.S. Navy corps that deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. By August that year, 23 Marines and one Navy corpsman had been killed in action. For information, visit https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2026/09/23/general/special-outdoor-exhibit-eyes-of-freedom-honors-service-members-from-iraqi-war-all-military/.
Additionally, the special exhibit “Warrior Dogs & Faithful Companions” that features the sculptures of military service dogs by Ohio artist James Mellick will be on display in the museum. https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2026/08/20/general/special-exhibit-warrior-dogs-faithful-companions-to-be-open-throughout-october/.
Partial funding for America 250 events is provided by Albrechta & Liebold, Ltd., Attorneys at Law.
The H.O.O.V.E.S program fits well with the military theme of these exhibits and President Hayes’ military service.
H.O.O.V.E.S was founded by U.S. Air Force Veteran Amanda Held. It gives veterans access to transformative healing and personal growth by bringing veterans and rescued horses together to create powerful bonds that heal, restore purpose and empower new beginnings.
It provides fully funded travel to its five-day, horse-guided healing intensives for free.
Events for President Hayes’ birthday and America 250 continue Sunday, Oct. 4. For information, visit https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2026/09/17/general/hayes-presidential-to-have-tree-planting-wreath-laying-exhibit-dedication-for-president-hayes-birthday/.
Hayes Presidential is America’s first presidential library and the forerunner of the federal presidential library system. It is partially funded by the state of Ohio and affiliated with the Ohio History Connection. Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove on Buckland Avenue.
For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org. Like Hayes Presidential on Facebook and follow on Instagram at rbhayespres and on Bluesky at rbhayespres.bsky.social.