An Equine Therapy Experience
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Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY INNOVATION
HORSES FOR HEROES:
EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
Teresa Whalen, Executive Director
Horses of Hope Oregon
2895 Cloverdale Drive SE
Turner, OR 97392
2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org
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An Equine Therapy Experience
Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract
3
Program
3
Inspiration
4
Team
5
Clients
5
Goals & Outcomes
5
Objectives
6
Summary
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2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org
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An Equine Therapy Experience
Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
Abstract
Horses of Hope Oregon (HOH) helps individuals with physical, mental, and behavioral
challenges through the use of equine therapy. Horses of Hope Oregon, (formerly the Adaptive
Riding Institute) was founded in 1988, and is the longest continuously operating equine therapy
program in the State. Services are provided to people of all ages, who live with day to day
challenges in their lives.
Using horses in therapy has grown in popularity and acceptance, as the positive outcomes
of this rehabilitative modality have become well known. Equine assisted therapy allows the
natural movement and empathy of the horse to better the general well-being of the participant.
This natural approach addresses both the physical and emotional needs of our clients.
Therapeutic riding offers the additional benefits of specific treatment strategies in rehabilitation
and improves:

Sensory Integration & Cognitive Skills

Language Development

Physical Strength and Development

Posture, Balance and Mobility

Independence and Confidence
Project: Horses for Heroes – Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans
We are planning to launch a new equine therapy program dedicated to Veterans experiencing the
challenges and scars of war – emotional, physical, and behavioral.
The issues facing our
Veterans are huge, and heartbreaking.
It is currently estimated that:

80% of our homeless are Veterans

30% of our Vietnam era Veterans suffer from PTSD
2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org
An Equine Therapy Experience
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Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
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21% of our Iraqi & Enduring Freedom Veterans suffer from PTSD

12% of our Gulf War Veterans suffer from PTSD

50% higher suicide rate among recent veterans than non-military civilians

25% of women have reported sexual assault while in the military

38% of men have reported sexual harassment while in the military
When Veterans learn to place their trust in a horse, this helps to restore trust in other people.
Through horse care, grooming, and riding - Veterans can set aside depression, violations of life
experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, violence of war, abandonment, and marital
problems. Instead they can direct their attention and interests outwardly to safe and caring
interpersonal relationships. Studies of human-animal interactions indicate that contact with
animals significantly reduces anxiety. Horses are kind and non-judgmental and allow for this
release of stress.
We have the staff, the facility, the trained therapy horses, and the proven track record to make
this a success.
We also have a moral obligation to our Veterans to start this program. There is no program like
it in in the mid-Willamette Valley.
Inspiration for Our Program
One out of every five Americans is touched by a disability. We all know someone, a loved one,
whose path in life has not been easy. I have counseled young wounded warriors returning from
Iraq and Afghanistan, as they’ve tried to pick up the pieces of their broken lives, and shattered
selves. Our Equine Therapy Program can, and will - bring hope, and happiness, and a sense of
peace to our soldiers.
2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org
An Equine Therapy Experience
5
Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
Horses for Heroes: HOH Team
HOH will implement our Horses for Heroes Program by utilizing our current staff. The staff, led
by the Executive Director Teresa Whalen, is comprised of a program coordinator, assistant
program coordinator (Path Certified), a stable manager, stable assistant, and an office manager,
augmented with the skills of two expert Licensed Clinical Professionals, and numerous
volunteers.
Clients
Horses of Hope Oregon has provided services to thousands of clients since its inception in 1988.
There has been a 41% increase in clients served since 2007, from 10 counties in Oregon. We
receive referrals through DHS, Salem Health, medical and physical therapy centers, selfreferrals, group homes, assisted living facilities, VA Centers, and more. HOH’s clients are just
one of the many stakeholders, and why our nonprofit organization is so vitally important.
Goals & Outcomes:
1. Improved Quality of Life: Equine Assisted Therapy puts Veterans in a position where
they have a sense of control and empowerment with the horse, which leads to increased
self-esteem/self-confidence.
2. Improved Emotional Functionality: creating a bond between the Veteran and therapy
horse can offer a sense of stability & connectedness for the Veteran.
3. Improved Behavioral Functionality: Equine Assisted Therapy can be viewed as a reward
for the Veteran – it provides independence and mobility and is fun.
4. Improved Physical Functionality: riding can stretch and strengthen core muscles, tendons
and ligaments.
2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org
An Equine Therapy Experience
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Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses
HORSES FOR HEROES – EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY FOR VETERANS
Specific Objectives:
1. Create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for our Veterans and their families.
2. Create a plan with collaboration of program coordinator, therapist, medical doctor,
Veteran and caregiver that will allow our Veterans to reach their maximum potential.
3. Treat Veterans, their caregivers, staff, and therapy horses with care and respect.
4. Qualitative Review: Veterans’ health will be scored in several areas, including general
health, vitality, emotional health, & potential setbacks - during each of the four
sessions; winter, spring, summer, and fall. Veterans will also be asked to rate their
health before and after equine therapy sessions – to assess quality of life indicators.
5. Quantitative Review: Number of Veterans / Number of Family members welcomed
weekly & sustained - will be tracked over the course of the year.
Summary:
Horses of Hope Oregon, provides a peaceful place for healing. We are surrounded by open
fields, forest, and a lovely view of Mt. Jefferson. Although various animals have been studied
for therapy, horses have proven to be most effective. This is because horses help people to
become more ‘grounded’ emotionally. They are empathetic, kind, prey-animals that seek to bond
with people. The bonds that we see forged between our riders and horses stand the test of time.
When equine assisted therapy becomes a part of our Veterans’ lives - the mind, body and
nervous system integrate with wonderful, life-changing results.
Our program will offer a
promising future to Veterans through an improved quality of life.
2895 Cloverdale Dr. SE ● Turner, OR 97392 ● Phone 503.743.3890 ● info@HOHoregon.org ● www.horsesofhopeoregon.org