In front of mare quarter horse Zoe from left are Heather Payne, barn manager and head trainer, Gibbs, and Samuelson. For more information on NEIGH contact Dawn Samuelson at 338-5350. Submitted photo

GERRY — Homestead Stables at Heritage Ministries welcomed a special guest from The National Sons of the American Legion on Friday.

On Friday, the stables welcomed The Sons’ National Commander, Greg “Doc” Gibbs to tour the new facility. Beginning in January 2019, the stables will also be the home of the National Educational Institute of Growth Through Horses or NEIGH. The program is headed by behavior specialist and life skills coach Dawn Samuelson and offers growth and life transitions workshops using Equine Assisted Therapy.

Through EAT participants improve trust, communication, and relationships. Session are offered for veterans, first responders, abuse victims, at-risk youth, students, seniors, and more. Gibbs has participated in the program and highly recommends it.

Gibbs was elected commander at the Sons’ national convention in Minneapolis in August. He has also served at Sons Post #527 in Hamburg, NY and received an honorary life membership from his Squadron and Post in 2015.

Gibbs has served as Legislative Chairman for the Legion’s National Detachment of New York since 2010. He has also overseen the “Veteran Friendly Campus Committee” at St. Bonaventure and serves as president of the alumni association at the State University of New York at Fredonia.