In the News

COOTES STORE — Pulling up to the home at Living Waters Farm Initiative, a classic red and yellow toy car sat flipped on its head, with rolling waves of color-changing trees along the mountain almost close enough to brush your nose. The scene could belong to any family cozied up in the Valley foothills, but instead the 24-acre lot is a home away from home for healing veterans.

Travis Coyle moved onto the northwest Rockingham County property with his family two years ago as a way to escape the noise and bustle of New Market. Coyle served one tour in Afghanistan as a military liaison, running a security team for the Army Corps of Engineers. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and secondary traumatic brain injury.

With residents like pigs Thelma and Louise, Spunky the donkey and horses Pip, Tahoe and Gloria, Coyle began developing the farm in January with his friend to be a retreat for others struggling to cope with and overcome the invisible wounds many veterans endure during service.

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