Mended Sparrow, Inc.
A nonprofit organization providing Equine-Assisted Services through equine programs focused on personal development and real-world carryover — at no cost to military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Our work is trauma-informed and grounded in experiential interaction with horses.
Equine Assisted Learning
(non-therapy)
Equine Assisted Coaching
Leatherworking Experiences
A New Direction Is Never Far Away
Mended Sparrow, Inc. (MSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing equine-assisted services—including Equine-Assisted Learning, Equine-Assisted Coaching, Horsemanship, Team Building, and Equine Psychotherapy—at no cost to our heroes and their families.
Founded and led by a husband-and-wife team, both retired from military service, MSI is based on a small farm in Mechanicsville, Virginia. We welcome service members, veterans, first responders, their families, and similarly situated individuals—those who have dedicated their lives to serving, caring, and protecting our country and communities.
See How It Begins
In this short film produced by Operation American Dream, founder Shahnaz Deyette invites viewers behind the gates of Mended Sparrow, where horses and quiet moments offer restoration to those who serve. This glimpse into the first day on the farm shows how healing begins—not through words, but through presence, connection, and the quiet support made possible by those who believe in this work.
Bravery in Healing: Equine-Assisted Programs for Our Heroes Renewed Strength
Future programs, classes, and retreats will be featured here and in our monthly newsletter to ensure you stay informed about upcoming dates. We also, customize retreats, team-building events, programs, and classes to cater to the specific needs of our community. Contact us for more information. If you prefer individual sessions over group settings, we offer one-on-one sessions as well.
Upcoming Events
You all are incredible and the work you do is more important than you know. You are healing first responders! Even those that may not know they need to heal. We are all broken in our ways, but you all are providing a place and safe haven for us to mend those broken parts with the help of your horses that see into our souls. We don't need to speak to be heard and that's the most powerful kind of healing for some!
Stay Connected with Mended Sparrow!
Join our newsletter and event updates to stay informed about upcoming programs, special events, and the impact we’re making. Be the first to hear about opportunities to get involved and support our mission.
Research
Many of us have seen heartwarming stories and anecdotes in the media or heard personal stories from family and friends of the benefits of interacting with horses. A frequent question involves the scientific merit of having horses involved in mental health services and how they might improve the quality of life of those involved.