Laura Albate, senior graphic design major, was honored at the Chief game on Oct. 30 during the salute to serve. During the Chiefs game with the Denver Broncos, Albate was taken out onto the field and awarded a new Ford F-150 truck for her nonprofit work.
“It’s all kind of a big blur,” said Albate. “I tried not to look up at all the people. It was truly amazing. I just want to thank Hope Therapy, Warriors’ Ascent, Midwest Ford dealers, The Chiefs and my co-founder Elizabeth Hill.”
Albate founded the nonprofit organization Mending Reins. The organization provides horse-assisted therapy to veterans, first responders, sexual assault victims and anyone else that has suffered traumatic experiences in their lives.
“We only got our 501c(3) form two months ago,” said Albate, “so this is really exciting.”
A 501c(3) form is a tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that allows businesses to write off donations as being tax exempt.
The truck Albate will receive is being donated by Midwest Ford dealers. This truck will allow Albate to expand the capability of the organization.
“My truck can barely haul me around, let alone horses,” said Albate. “You’d be surprised a lot of people can’t make it out here.”
The salute to serve award is an award given out to veterans that continue to serve the military community even after their service commitment. Albate, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2007 to 2013, sought out to help people the same way she had been helped after exiting the military.
“I got out of the military in 2013 lost and depressed,” said Albate. “When I moved back here it was really hard because Kansas City was the same, but I was really different.”
Moving back to Kansas City after exiting the service and after going through a divorce, it wasn’t until getting in touch with Warriors’ Ascent did she find the idea to start an organization helping people.
“I found this program,” Albate said, “I talked to Jay Waldo.”
Waldo is the co-founder of Warriors’ Ascent, a program designed to help combat veterans. Warriors’ Ascent offers a week-long program to promote healing and recovery to those with post-traumatic stress and other combat experiences.
“It was amazing I felt like I got myself back,” said Albate. “I wanted to pay it forward.”
“I came to my boss, Elizabeth Hill, and asked: what do think about using your horses to start a therapy program? and she said ‘I can’t believe you just asked that. I was hoping you’d come out of that program and ask me that question. That’s what I’ve been wanting to do since I bought the property ten years ago.’”
Albate and Hill began the steps of building the organization around horse-assisted therapy.
“The horse is a prey animal,” said Albate, “They live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. Just like someone with post-traumatic stress.”
Mending Reins’ process starts with creating a connection between the horse and the individual.
“We will let you pick a horse and start grooming,” said Albate.
The pace of the process depends on the individual’s experience with horses but can ultimately come to an exercise where the horse follows the individual without commands.
“Having a 1,200 Ib. animal follow you around is an amazing experience,” said Albate. “That first day when he started following me was the best day of my life.”
Albate’s goal is to continue to grow the program and help as many people as possible.
“We want to make it free for all vets and first responders,” said Albate.
Albate’s goals and ambitions to help fellow veterans have led her to starting Mending Reins, and with her new truck she will be able to: “Spread the horsey healing.”