A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
– Christopher Reeve
Serving Those Who Serve
Equine-assisted services of all types have proven effective for veterans and active service personnel. The HEH program uses both mounted and unmounted equine assisted services and therapies to assist in physical and emotional healing (the visible and invisible wounds).
Horses are especially effective with veterans. Being prey animals, horses exist in a "hyper-vigilant" state similar to chronic stress, anxiety and PTSD, allowing the horse and veteran to connect. Horses are non-judgmental and veterans are able to let their guard down by learning to trust and share with their horse partner. Every session gives veterans one-on-one time with their horse, creating a strong bond.
Group activities and therapies allow the veterans to engage with their horse and each other, experiencing life together in the arena—it's about the journey, not a task or destination. The horse provides teachable moments by communicating through body language in response to the participants' actions and emotions. This raises the veteran's awareness and ability to cope, regulate and think, verses reacting.
The program also facilitates motivation and assists in work therapy and vocational skills. By taking care of their horse, responsibility life skills and empathy develop. This helps the veteran to reconnect with their families, re-integrate into the community and contribute their talents and job skills to the local economy.
Horses for Heroes Program helps participants with challenges including:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Anxiety & Depression
- Moral Injuries
- Substance Misuse
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Amputation or Physical Limitations from Combat Injuries
"For He Himself Is Our Peace..."
Please take a moment to read Michael and Lakota's story and help us continue to transform the lives of individuals with special needs. >>
Michael & Lakota
Horses Empower Heroes Program GraduateWatch Video
This video was created by the United Way of Greater Kingsport. It highlights our veterans’ program, Horses Empower Heroes (HEH), and features Will, one of the courageous veterans that Small Miracles is honored to know and serve. Thank you, Will and United Way of Greater Kingsport, for your support of Small Miracles!
Horses Empower Heroes Program
Pheonix shared with today, "You're worth loving, you're worth trusting."
You can say nothing to your horse or you can say everything. They are listening. Lakota rested her head on my shoulder today; she took my pain away. I can't wait until next week, to tell Lakota that she's my therapist.
Being at Small Miracles gives me a sense of belonging and family. Emerald is such a joy for my emotional state. Without her unconditional love, I honestly don't know my existence.
“I realized that Tucker [equine partner] could do something that no doctor, therapist, shrink, friend or family could do for me—he could LISTEN. The jobs I did in the military are classified. I can never tell another human being the horrible evil I have seen. I can tell Tucker anything and he will never tell. More important, he will never judge; he doesn't care what I've done. He loves me. This is the BEST therapy I could ever have and more than I thought possible.”
