Healing hooves: Equine therapy raises spirits of Veterans

Ranger and Dare are in the therapy business. Like many of their peers, they spend their days working with kids, people with disabilities and Veterans… when not eating grass and alfalfa.

Ranger and Dare are American miniature horses for a North Texas non-profit that brings equine therapy to those who cannot travel to their home stable. Their audience on a recent sunny day at Dallas VA were Community Living Center (CLC) residents as part of their recreational therapy program.

Equine therapy and visits from Ranger and Dare are part of different therapeutic modalities VA recreation therapists bring to Veterans receiving nursing home level of care, assistance with daily activities and medical care.

“Animals aid in healing emotional conditions.”

“These visits bring invaluable benefits to our patients,” said Amor Aguilera, recreation therapist. “Animals can aid in healing emotional and behavioral conditions.”

Equine therapy fosters community engagement, promotes resilience and raises the spirits of CLC residents, their families and employees. Engaging with animals like Ranger and Dare can lower blood pressure and bring child-like feelings of happiness.

“I loved being with them because they love the attention I give them,” said Judith Collins, Army Veteran and CLC resident (pictured above). “After my car accident, I feel a real connection with these horses.”

Therapists for these visits believe that horses keep us grounded in the present moment. Visits like these motivate residents to interact with their surroundings while building trust.

“Just being around them helps bring calm and peace to Veterans that interact with them,” said one therapist. Visits by Ranger and Dare cement the partnership that recreation therapists and VA have with their patients, and it brings a unique perspective regarding the social, cognitive, physical and leisure needs of each Veteran.