It’s been nearly 20 years since Jim and Lily Carlson sold their screen printing business in Kent and moved to a 14-acre farm in Renton Highlands. They’ve lived a peaceful, quiet lives there with their five horses and eight aging sheep.
But as the Carlsons advances in age — Jim is nearly 91 and Lily is 93 — they’ve been inclined to share their farm with those in need of serenity. Currently, the couple is in the middle of setting up their 501(c)(3) status to convert their farm to a center for hippoterapy — horseback riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment — to assist veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown that hippotherapy and equine therapy can help with communication, trust, confidence, self acceptance, as well as decrease isolation and improve social skills.
“It’s established that bonding with animals can help people who are afflicted by different types of neurosis, psychosis or trauma from past experiences,” said Jim. “The main thing we’re trying to focus on is helping veterans with PTSD, but that does not exclude our wish or willingness to help veterans with other types of wounds, or even anybody.”
“What we want to do is help military families,” said Lily. “Not only help the individual [with PTSD], but treat the whole family. They all are affected by what happens to one individual.”
Both Jim and Lily are veterans themselves. Jim served in the navy for two years during World War II and Lily served as a navy nurse during the Korean and Vietnam wars. While neither of them have experienced PTSD, they have seen the horrors of the disorder in their nephew who served in the Vietnam war.
“We thought he was doing great,” said Jim. “He had finished his education. He got a good-paying job. But one day, he just went out and ended his life.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimate that 15 out of 100 Vietnam War veterans and 12 out of every 100 Gulf War veterans experience PTSD.
After receiving the blessing from the IRS in the form of a 501(c)3() status, the couple plans to collect donations and construct a large, covered arena for the equine therapy. Currently, they’re making due with a small tent, but they don’t expect it to last very long in the rain.
Their long-term plan includes expanding the resources and utilizing the full potential of the land by transforming their small home, nested near a grove of Japanese Cedars, into a retreat center (they’re planning on naming the facility “Hitching Rail Wellness Center and Retreat”), as well as create a chapel for the weary and a memorial for the fallen.
They are currently looking for volunteers who will help groom and ride the horses, as well as assist with construction of the covered arena.
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Jim and Lily Carlson at Thehitchingrailretreat@gmail.com.
