Islandia, NY — Hope, healing and the power of horses took center stage at Pal-O-Mine’s inaugural Wellness Day for Cancer Survivors and their Caregivers, which was held on June 29th at the nonprofit’s 13-acre farm in Islandia.
The Wellness Day, developed in collaboration with Northwell’s South Shore University Hospital and Institute for Community Health and Wellness, included mindfulness with horses, nutritional education, natural horsemanship, therapeutic horticulture, sound healing and more.
“Spending time on Pal-O-Mine’s farm and interacting with our 25 horses and other animals gave more than 50 cancer survivors and their caregivers the opportunity to step away from the challenges of treatment and find peace in a supportive, natural environment,” said Lisa Gatti, 
Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine, which provides equine-assisted therapeutic programs for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, at-risk youth and many others. “The calming presence of horses reduces stress, encourages mindfulness and fosters emotional connection. Through interactions with our herd, participants were able to feel more relaxed, hopeful and empowered.”
The day also featured a panel of Northwell physicians and other health professionals who discussed wellness strategies, while a Northwell nutritionist and two Northwell chefs offered demonstrations on healthy cooking techniques. Northwell’s Mobile Health Unit was onsite, with the Northwell Vein Care team providing free varicose vein screenings.
“At Northwell, one of the most important aspects of our community work is identifying opportunities to bridge meaningful resources and support directly into the communities we serve,” said Edgar Cerna, AVP of Operations, Institute for Community Health and Wellness, Northwell Health. “Through our growing partnership with Pal-O-Mine, we were able to connect cancer survivors and caregivers with unique wellness experiences that complemented their healthcare journey. We are excited to continue building this partnership and creating innovative ways to support the physical, emotional and overall well-being of those we may serve together.”
Pal-O-Mine is grateful to luncheon sponsor Dragonfly Cares, as well as the many organizations serving the cancer community who offered resources at the event, including the Maurer Foundation, Latina Sisters Support, the American Cancer Society, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the Lustgarten Foundation, Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, CancerCare, Ribbons Rising, Aflac and Zwanger Pesiri.
