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About Heroes and Horses Healing

Heroes and Horses Healing is a nonprofit Equine Therapy program exclusively for veterans who are coping with the many problems related to medically diagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and their families (who also suffer from the effects of the veterans' PTSD). Many Equine Therapy studies and monitored programs around the country have proved the benefits to PTSD-coping veterans.

 

Other studies and experiences have proven that a rescued horse can benefit greatly by working with and bonding with a person who is also dealing with personal trust issues and sometimes disabling symptoms common to both. At our beautiful complex outside Pegram, Tennessee (20 miles from Nashville) the veteran and the horse work through a non-residential (for the veterans) program that extends over 8 weeks. The veteran-horse team therapy is led by our experienced Certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist, backed by several experienced horse owners and trainers. 

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We also schedule family day events for spouses, children, parents, and other ongoing support providers. Ongoing follow-up times are scheduled so that the horse and the alumnae veteran don't experience withdrawal symptoms (a very real issue when the relationship has been built). Unlike many therapy centers working under short-term contracts, whose therapy programs are often sporadic because of tremendous budget constraints, Heroes and Horses Healings depends only on donors, sponsors and grants to keep our programs going all year round.

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Our co-founders serve as volunteer Co-chairman and volunteer Co-chairwoman, along with many volunteer Directors and Advisors from all walks of life. Heroes and Horses Healing brings together people who want to help our veterans and people who love to help animals. 

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Thank you for your interest in our program, and please take a few minutes to click on some of the buttons on this page to read and see much more about Heroes and Horses Healing.

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Our mantra is always SAFETY FIRST

OPEN HOUSE

Our first open house for HHHvets, held Saturday, June 25th, was a great success. The event drew directors, advisors, friends and many others who wanted to get to know more about each other, and about what Heroes and Horses Healing is all about. Thanks to all who were there, and all who helped make it work.

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Claudia and I want to especially thank our Three First Ladies: Hilda Keller, our Professional Horse Trainer and owner of Keller Horse training and Riding Instruction for making her stables and beautiful facilities available for us (on the heels of her very successful first annual Ride for the Rescues Trainers' Challenge); Jane McAllister, operator of River Edge Farm Horse Rescue in Lyles, TN, who provides most of our rescued horses, and who brought her great little horse Zippy to give pony rides and picture opportunities to children and families; and to Dede Beasley, our Certified Professional Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Director, who showed small groups of guests, up close, how the therapy for PTSD-copers and Rescued Horses works.

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We plan to do this more in the future for targeted groups of veterans, families, general public guests and prospective donors and sponsors.

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Joe and Claudia

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