Horses provide therapy to veterans
CARROLL TOWNSHIP – Area veterans saddled horses for therapy to work their way back from the stresses of serving in the United States armed forces.
Gerard Recker of Fremont, who served eight years in the Marine Corps, said his wife, Rebekah, who directs the therapy program, got him interested in using horses for therapy.
"I've never used a horse, but I wanted to try it out," Gerard Recker said as he mounted Caymus, a 21-year-old horse at the Behlman Road stable in Oak Harbor. "It's very relaxing. I like riding."
The relaxation is just what the horses provide to veterans, who are encouraged to stop by and get to know the animals, Rebekah said.
July 3 was the kickoff of Cavalry Camp Equine Services for Heroes, a free therapy service started by Cavalry Campaigners and Riders Unlimited to help veterans, past and present, who are dealing with injuries, stress or post-traumatic stress syndrome.
"We have so many veterans who are now coming back from (war zones) and there is now a growing trend to therapeutic riding or activities to acclimate back to (civilian) life," Rebekah Recker said.
Veterans will not only see an emotional and mental transformation through the therapy. Rebekah Recker said that physically older veterans and new veterans with prosthetic limbs are seeing improvement in range of movement because walking and riding horses allows them to work out muscles and learn naturally movements and balance.
She said programs can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual veteran, even those who are unable to ride horses. "Driving (walking a horse) is still going to work on balance, arms and leg strength and focus," she said.
Horses interact with people in the moment and ultimately react to anger, stress and body language. That's why they are good for therapy.
"Once you learn how to take deep breathes, relax and calm yourself down, then they (horses) are going to welcome you in," Rebekah Recker said. "Just coming out here and being around the horse is very relaxing."
Mary Stricker of Helena came to the Friday event to learn how to become a volunteer for after serving in the United States Army in the 1980s.
"I need something calming in my life right now. It's pretty nice," Stricker said after working with the horses.
As the program continues to grow, Rebekah Recker said the goal is to get more veterans involved both in therapy sessions and with volunteering for the program, which is offered free to veterans.
"They served us, and now we want to serve them," she said.
cshoup@gannett.com
419-334-1035
Twitter: CraigShoupNH
More information
Call 419-898-6164 or visit www.ridersunlimited.org