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Program helps veterans ease into civilian life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Horses are helping the nation's wounded warriors through an unusual therapy program. It's called Equine Assisted Therapy, and targets military members who've experienced Post-Traumatic Stress, or a Traumatic Brain Injury.

"Horses and humans react so well to each other because the behavior of a heard of horses is similar to the way a platoon, squadron or unit works together," said Lulu Bogolin, Equine Assisted Therapy veterans program manager. "During the course, veterans learn basic horsemanship skills, such as how to train, tack, groom and ride a horse."

The instructors also teach the veterans to talk and keep both hands on the horses while grooming them.

"Through that process, the goal is for the veteran to create a bond with the horse and the other veterans in the program," said Bogolin. "In the last class, the veterans ride the horse for the first time by themselves."

Thus far, the program has held three sessions. The first two sessions were 10 weeks and the one that was completed recently was six weeks. Future classes will also be six weeks. Also during the course, veterans who previously went through the program help those in the current program.

"Previous veterans have told us that when they are retired they don't feel like they have a purpose and don't fit into the social atmosphere," Bogolin said. "We hope the skills they use when caring for the horse transfer to their social life, like respect, patience and conversation."

Victor Espinoza, an Army Reserve member stationed at Scott, heard about the program from a social media site.

"The program helps you understand situations and how to react to them," said Espinoza. "I was intimidated at first being next to a horse, but I eventually learned what their reactions are and how to control them and through the process you learn how to relieve stress better. Sometimes in the military you are put in situations where you have to react fast. You have to find a way to be calm so you don't make a mistake resulting in the harm to a person or in this circumstance, a horse."

The program is free of charge to all military members who once served or are still serving. The not-for-profit also offers a free program for special needs children. For more information visit www.equineassistedtherapy.org.