Soldiers returning from duty who develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often have little understanding of how to deal with the emotional and physical trauma they experienced during war, and have few resources for healing.
Bob Nevins, a Vietnam War veteran and founder of Saratoga WarHorse, decided to start a non-profit organization that let soldiers form a bond with thoroughbred horses as a form of animal therapy to help soldiers with their PTSD.
“We don’t talk about therapy, we don’t talk about their experiences,” said Bob Nevins.“We just bring them here, so they can have this experience, and the experience itself is what facilitates change.”
“By utilizing the silent language of the horse, a mutual trust and profound bond is established that goes beyond verbal communication,” Saratoga WarHorse wrote on their website. “Our personalized approach provides each individual with a unique experience that helps to release stress.”
Tom Ochman is one of the U.S. Army veterans who has taken part in the program, and was stunned by how much bonding with a horse had helped his PTSD. “When the horse came to me, that’s probably the calmest I’ve been in the past six years,” Ochman said.
Watch the incredible video below to see the awesome way these soldiers are dealing with their PTSD.
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[Featured image credit: FOX News]