May 2026 Issue

May 2026 | EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN 38 Continued on page 46 By Lois Szymanski When Page Etzler found a 28-acre property for sale near her Keymar, Maryland home while her husband was deployed in Afghan- istan, she didn’t wait for permission. The ER nurse secured financing and bought the farm on her own. What began as a long-held dream quickly became a leap into loans, fencing, and outbuildings—followed by a growing herd of Clydesdales. Still, something felt missing. “I kept wondering what is the purpose of this farm?” she said. That answer began to take shape with the birth of a filly named Glorious Mayhem. After Page shared the foal online, a veteran named Bryan Allison reached out, asking to meet her. When he arrived in a wheelchair, he shared his story—service in Africa, exposure to burn pits, addiction, and a difficult past. Stroking the filly’s neck, he opened up in a way that surprised even him. “This was an Army veteran who guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and worked as a mortician at Dover Air Force Base,” Page said. Bryan returned often, forming a deep bond with the filly he called Glory. Page eventually sold her to him at a reduced price, allowing him to keep her at the farm. “She loved him,” Page said. “She stood next to his wheelchair every time he visited, never moving.” Six months later, Bryan was diag- nosed with esophageal cancer, likely linked to burn pit exposure. One of his final wishes was to see Glory compete in a horse show. Volunteers rallied—transporting, grooming, and presenting her at the Maryland State Fair, where she earned a red ribbon. “It was impressive how everyone came to- gether to get his horse shown,” Page said. About a month before Bryan passed, his brother John visited the farm with him. Watching Bryan with Glory, he saw something profound.“His connection to her was truly remarkable,” John said. As the end approached, the conversation turned to Glory’s future—and something bigger. John suggested creating a nonprofit combining equine services for veterans with a spiritual component. “If a horse and a nextdoor neighbor could do this for him, what could it do for someone else?” he said. Page agreed immediately. Together with Bryan, they planned the nonprofit, naming it Fixin’ Fences. Bryan remained involved in every decision until his death inOctober 2023, ten months after his diagnosis. His story is not uncommon. One in three U.S. veterans experiences depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other invisible injuries. Research sup- ports the impact of equine therapy, with studies showing increased coping skills and reduced depression among participants. “Bryan’s goal was peace through healing,” Page said. Today, that vision includes a spiritual ele- ment led by Father Jonathan Musser, an Epis- copal priest who works hands-on at the farm. Bryan’s ashes were interred at Arlington, with a piece of Glory’s tail—a final connection to the horse that helped bring him peace. Funds he left behind helped build veteran housing on-site, and Page brought on trainer and farm manager Kira Banks. Still, connecting with vet- erans proved challenging—until a partnership changed everything. In fall 2025, Platoon 22, a nonprofit serving 3,600 clients, joined forces with the farm.“We were looking tomove,” said Executive Director Niki Falzone. “Page offered to lease us the farm and allow us tomanage our own programs. We are calling it Platoon Pastures.” Together, the two organizations now pro- vide equine-assisted activities, nature-based wellness, and peer support for veterans, first responders, and their families. Niki described Fixin’ Fences: How a Maryland Farm Became One Woman’s Purpose and a Haven for Veterans One woman’s impulsive purchase led to an unexpected equine operation offering hope and healing for veterans across the nation. Platoon Pastures director, Niki Falzone spends time with newborn foal, Mac. Photo courtesy of Platoon Pastures.