Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge No. 2855 sponsors SMART program

The East County Elks donated $2,205 so 14 veterans could participate in the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy's Warrior's in Transition program.

By Amanda Sebastiano
| 12:24 p.m. September 24, 2015

Terry Murray, who leads SMART's Warriors in Transition program, talks with veterans about the connection between horses and people.

East County
News

A group that's passionate about veterans, East County Elks again shifted its focus to military men and women.

The Lakewood Ranch Sarasota Elks Lodge No. 2855 sponsored the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy's Warriors in Transition program, which is designed to help veterans integrate back into civilian life by learning a range of skills, such as communication and leadership.

The group had never sponsored the SMART program before. It paid $2,205 for 14 veterans from Bay Pines VA Healthcare System to tour the East County equestrian center and learn about the horses that live there.

"The one-on-one interaction with horses helps teach veterans more about respect, empathy and compassion," said Gail Clifton, interim executive director of SMART. "It's special just for them to interact with each other, veterans and the horses."

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].