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A veteran enrolled in the CERV program handles her horse – credit DoVAExperience the transformative power of equine therapy as it gallops through the hearts of veterans in Tennessee. The US Department of Veterans Affairs is harnessing this potent rehabilitation method with resounding success, offering a fresh lease on life to those who have served.
Witness firsthand the healing miracles as veterans confront their past traumas, guided by the gentle wisdom of horses. Among these brave souls is Joanne Parchetta, a testament to the life-changing impact of the Center for Equine Recovery (CERV), a unique program at Middle Tennessee State University.
CERV’s innovative approach teaches veterans about equine behavior through direct interaction and learning, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves in the process. As they navigate their journey with these majestic creatures, they learn that calmness is key. In the words of a class organizer, horses are “big bio-feedback machines that’ll tell you like it is.”
Parchetta shares her inspiring transformation: “This class with horses showed me that I can still achieve and I can still dream,” she said. Her story is a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for others battling chronic illness or physical disability.
At CERV, horses serve as mirrors, reflecting the emotions of their guides or riders. This feedback allows veterans to recognize, 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,” says Lee Farris, a proud CERV participant since 2023.
The program imparts vital skills like confidence, patience, and courage, aligning perfectly with the VA’s Whole Health Service. Through both classroom lessons and hands-on demonstrations, veterans are walked through the process of grooming, caring for, and understanding their horses. The ultimate goal? To lead their horses through various obstacles as a team.
“You have to work as a team with your horse emotionally and physically for it to work,” Parchetta emphasizes. “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 safe space for growth. “I learned how to trust the staff—not only because they were the experts—but because 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.”
Even if the only outcome is a veteran donning a cowboy hat and breathing in the healing air of nature, CERV has made a difference. As the only program of its kind in the nation, it’s clear that more is needed. With veterans at a higher risk of suicide than the general public, programs like these are not just beneficial—they’re essential.
Animal therapy is no stranger to rehabilitation and therapy. Inmates at Las Cruces Federal Correctional Facility in New Mexico are working with hard-to-adopt dogs to build trust and companionship. And in 2023, GNN reported on “therapy sheep” being used for mental health improvement in children, adolescents, and adults through EWE Talk.
SHARE the heartwarming story of how equine therapy is changing lives for veterans in Tennessee…
Source: Good News Network
