A dozen or so veterans received a unique form of therapy this morning, for things like PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
It was an exercise in building trust and confidence, as some of the veterans today, have just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, like Jarid Hilchey. "It kind of puts me in a different world, different mindset, relaxes everything about me. Takes my mind off of everything."
Hilchey has occasional bouts with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
He says the episodes are hard on his wife and kids.
But a little horseback riding, at Heart of the Horse Therapy Ranch in Clovis is taking away all his pain and anger, at least temporarily.
Hilchey a veteran, but still on active duty. He's had one deployment to Afghanistan, and two tours of duty in Iraq. Several ambushes and IED encounters have had a lasting effect, and the pain of lost comrades lingers.
"Afghanistan was a whole different monster compared to Iraq."
He's repressed a lot of emotions from his encounters, like so many veterans. Fifteen of them were at the ranch today.
Out of gratitude for our servicemen and women, Guy Adams talked to the VA hospital about bringing the vets out for a little therapeutic getaway. "Seeing them get up on the horse and get rid of some that anger and that tension they hold is amazing to me just to watch how a horse can a affect a man's soul."
Speech pathologists at the VA say the movement from riding helps stimulate parts of the brain. Remy Sanchez says it supports speech, physical, and occupational therapy. "I like to bring them out here so we can use the strategies they've learned functionally, help them readjust back into civilian life."
It is a new program. Veterans have been coming out in groups, but organizers are hoping eventually, they'll come out on their own.
TXT 24
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