Joanne Parchetta is one of many Veterans helped by the Center for Equine Recovery, a program at Middle Tennessee State University. The idea behind the program was bringing Veterans in from the Veterans Recovery Center, part of Tennessee Valley VA in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Through interactions and learning about the behaviors of horses, Veterans could learn about themselves through their development in class.
“I know that you are not defined by chronic illness or physical disability but it can demoralize you and cause you to give up. This class with horses showed me that I can still achieve and I can still dream,” Parchetta said.
CERV allows Veterans from Tennessee Valley VA to break through their own mental and health barriers to improve their own lives. According to CERV, horses mirror their guide or rider and provide a physical reflection of a Veteran’s emotions. With this feedback, a Veteran can better see, process and work through their behaviors.
“The program is set up to safely assist and encourage Veterans to succeed in overcoming some of the fears we might have of large animals or horses but also to build our self-confidence and learn to trust others and ourselves again,” said Lee Farris, who has been a part of CERV since 2023.
“She expected me to do my part.”
“My horse Penny showed me patience,” said Parchetta who has been a part of CERV since 2024. “She wasn’t judgmental, but expected me to do my part with confidence. The staff were the experts and took their time to ensure I was confident.”
Confidence, patience and courage are vital skills that are tantamount to VA’s Whole Health service. CERV works with the recreational therapy portion of Whole Health. The class walks Veterans through classroom and hands-on demonstrations. How to groom, care for and get to know the horse are part of the initial few weeks of the 10-week program. Veterans learn how to walk and guide their horses while dismounted and then how to lead their horses through various obstacles.
“It makes you trust in yourself.”
“You have to work as a team with your horse emotionally and physically for it to work,” said Parchetta. “When trusting in this amazing animal, it makes you trust in yourself and rediscover things in yourself you thought were lost.”
For Farris, the professionalism of the instructors provided a place for him to feel comfortable to grow.
“I learned how to trust the staff—not only because they were the experts—but they patiently took their time to ensure I was confident with the skills I was learning. I was able to be myself and not worry about being judged for my mistakes.”
Topics in this story
More Stories
Since the millionth Veteran joined MVP in 2023, the program has continued its research to improve health care for all.
The transition from military service to civilian life often includes difficulties with sleep, especially for Veterans with lingering trauma.
For Veterans Noe Tejeda and Robert Hernandez, work as peer specialists continues the brotherhood they forged in battle 20 years ago.
Hello, what a great article. Hold Your Horses Farm, in Christiana, TN (just south of Murfreesboro, TN) provides excellent services for the military, veterans and family members, as well as, first responders professions, teachers and healthcare professionals.
Please see: https://www.holdyourhorsesfarmtn.com for more information.
Owned and operated by Angie Joseph, RN, US Army and Army National Guard veteran.
Would love to hear more from veterans that transitioned to active roles as facilitators for these programs. The work and it’s impact are invaluable. Keep doing great things!
We operate a similar horse program for veterans in Washington State and interact with the Puget Sound VA (Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center). You can google Veteran Equine Therapy to see of any programs are in your area. We help interested individuals to start similar programs in their area. The programs are very effective in helping PTSD, anxiety and suicidal veterans according to the vets we have served.
I would love to set up a program in my area. We are based in Germany, close to Ramstein und Wiesbaden Air Base . My husband is involved with the Military and a veteran. We brought a wild mustang into our family and a second one is joining this fall. Our horse has helped us in many ways! Would love to hear about your approach starting an equine program for veterans.
The first time I saw this, I got excited, because I’ve loved horses ? for years, but this has never been in NJ.
If you know of this happening in Jersey, please let me know.
Waco, TX has a therapeutic riding program for Veterans
https://www.reachtrc.org/about_us/mission.html
Anything near Vista, CA 92081?
In Ocala, FL; through the Ocala Vet Center; we have a great equine therapeutic riding program for veterans at Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA).
Their mission for the last 40 years has been to enhance lives using the healing power of human and horse connection. This unique pairing unleashes new abilities that grant purpose and envision greater opportunities. We serve persons of all capabilities with physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges through Equine Assisted Activities.
Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) is a PATH Premier Accredited organization.
Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. a 501(c)(3) Corporation
Address: 6850 SE 41st Court
Ocala, FL 34480
Office number: 352-732-7300
Email: information@mtraocala.org
Working with any animal helps. Not everyone can afford a horse or has a place to keep one. Even stables are rare.
Is it illegal to prohibit a disabled Veteran for keeping a pet or make it difficult?
One of my PTSD problems is that I had a horse that I loved early. Her name was Heidi. I delivered her when I was ten and helped break her.
While I was overseas, my mother sold her for $50. NO, SHE DID NOT NEED THE MONEY. SHE DID NOT EVEN THELL ME UNTIL I CAME HOME ON LEAVE. I hitchhiked on several MAC aircraft, rode on 2 different commercial flights, and thumbed, from the Memphis Airport, a ride for 60 miles to the dirt road turn off and then caught a ride to our farm. I walked the fields for over an hour looking for Heidi. I asked my mother “Where’s Heidi??” All she said was “OH, I SOLD HER.” She even gave the money to my sister. If Heidi had been a problem I could have found a home among my farming friends. But, she was mad because I went into the military in the middle of Vietnam. It was eight join or get drafted.
She died at 101 and is buried 8 miles from my house. I did not go to her funeral. I still have panic attacks because of it. I dream of riding and playing tag with Heidi. When I went to local riding events I would get home at about 2 am. I would wake up, in the saddle, with Heidi grazing in the yard. NO TIME DOES NOT CURE A BROKEN HEART. I am now 75.
Where else in the country are these programs offered?
We have a horse and donkey rescue in Las Vegas NV and would like to know how we could get a therapy thing of our own started here for veterans.
Somehow bring this program to South Carolina specifically Greenville South Carolina
Yes it is very effective it was like my horse pick me and each week we grew closer and we enjoyed each other . GREAT THERAPY
Great news. Glad to hear you found it rewarding. How did the VA arrange, accommodate and direct you to an organization that met their expectations?
This is a great program that MTSU has started. Thank you for sharing.
I to have been benefited working with equine and helping other Veterans for 5 years as a teacher the 2nd week I started.
We own a Horse Ranch North of Fort Worth with a Rodeo Arena behind the main house. We offer free horse stabling for Veterans and High School Students involved in Rodeo. We assist them in Rodeo events, and equine therapy. My wife Donna Snow King (from the TV Show “Texas Flip N Move”) and I are both licensed Amateur Radio Operators. We have discovered many Veterans and troubled teens have embraced Amateur Radio and turned from possible suicide. Donna’s Call Sign is W5SML and mine is W5EAK.
Sounds like a fantastic program.
Wish there was one similar in Texas.