Camp Cowboy kicks off spring session

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

 Cove Leader-Press

Located at 2700 Sikes Dr. in Kempner just south of Copperas Cove, the Robison ranch is a working cattle ranch that also holds three 90-day sessions of Camp Cowboy, spring, summer, and fall. 

On Feb. 6, the first session of Camp Cowboy 2023 held an opening ceremony with lineup of veterans ready to get up close and personal with horses. 

Lane Robison is an instructor at Camp Cowboy and also ranch manager for Robison Ranch. 

“We start at day one with, ‘Here’s a big four-legged furry animal, all the way to day 90, when it is, ‘Hey, go catch your horses and we’ll see you in the arena.’

“During the 90 days at Camp Cowboy, people are able to regulate. When they learn how to communicate with a 1200-pound animal effectively, it’s pretty easy to fix a lot of things. Most of those going through the program have never been on a horse before. They do some basic ground rules and safety at the beginning, and then in about a month we will have them on horseback.” 

A number of the program graduates returned, wearing their Camp Cowboy shirts and jackets proudly, and some return to help others who go through the program after them.

Joni Evans is a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant and runs a tight ship at Camp Cowboy as the organization’s director of programming and volunteer instructor. She welcomed all to the kickoff event, which also included a horse demonstration conducted by Lane Robison, along with a horse named Duckie. 

“Most of you guys already pretty much know me, or if not, you’ve spoken to me on the phone in some way or fashion, so I’m really excited. I’m excited to see this get going,” she said.

Kayla Glover from Cargill Feed also addressed the crowd. Glover said she has been with Cargill Feeds from the beginning of the relationship with Camp Cowboy.

“They approached us looking for a food program for all the horses here. We work together and partner together, and we feed all the horses here. Our product, Purina, comes straight from the Temple Cargill plant.” 

Troy Merritt, VA rep, is a retired Sergeant First Class who completed three combat tours in Iraq, one in Bosnia, and was one of first responders to the Nov. 5, 2009, shootings on Fort Hood. 

He shared his own story on Monday. 

“I went through years of trauma therapy from some of the things that I was exposed to, and ended up turning my life around. I got my master’s degree in social work from Texas State University and I now work for the VA for the PRC program, which is the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Center. Basically, we’re dealing with veterans that are dealing with traumatic experiences, trying to get them out in the community.

“Unfortunately, a lot of these veterans have gone through traumatic events. They isolate themselves, so we’re trying to get them out in the community. Equine therapy, in my opinion. is one of the best therapies. These animals feed off emotions. They know what you’ve gone through, they just have a sense of a feeling. 

“And if you’re scared, the horse will be scared, but if you settle down and you find yourself becoming more centered, they will as well. It’s pretty amazing, the bond that is created between the veteran and the horses. I think this is one of the best programs and most successful programs I’ve seen to date. 

Prior to the demonstration in the ring, the Lone Star Chapter of U.S. Motorcycle Vets, based in Belton, presented Camp Cowboy with a check for $1,000.

The group’s president was accompanied by fellow club members to the presentation, and he thanked the nonprofit on behalf of the veterans in the community.

“We’ve had a few of our guys go through here and they have definitely seen a change,” he said.

He also had a few words for those just starting their 90-day journey.

“Learn as much as you can. These guys are great and we’ve been with them for a few years now,” he added. 

Camp Cowboy is open to active duty military, veterans, and gold star family members, and has both daytime and evening sessions. The program is no charge to its participants and is made possible by the generosity from businesses and the community. More information about the nonprofit can be found at www.campcowboy.org or by calling 254-370-4987. Volunteers are always welcome.