WHEREAS, in January 2010, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center celebrated two years of service to the Commonwealth and to veterans with disabilities and their families; and

WHEREAS, therapeutic riding has been identified to be successful in treating children and adults with physical and mental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established to provide recreational therapeutic riding for veterans with disabilities as part of an effective and efficient community-based rehabilitation system; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center has developed model programs and services for veterans with disabilities, enabling them to integrate successfully back into their community after injury; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center has served over 250 disabled veterans to date and now has the ability to serve an average of 200 veterans with disabilities per year; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center has helped other communities across the Commonwealth set up their own programs to serve veterans with disabilities and their families; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center provides community awareness semiannually through fundraiser trail rides, horseshoe tournaments, and slideshow presentations to community organizations; and

WHEREAS, the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center and its hardworking board of directors, staff, volunteers, and generous supporters make possible the services needed to help veterans with disabilities meet their daily challenges and lead a life of their choice; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center on the occasion of its second anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude to the organization for its commitment to veterans with disabilities and their families.