Dream Catchers’ Horses for Heroes
Dream Catchers at the Cori Sikich Therapeutic Riding Center in Williamsburg, Virginia, a PATH premier accredited therapeutic riding facility, is proud to announce the addition of the nationally recognized Horses for Heroes program. This program serves groups of military service people with special needs. The service men and women in this program may currently be attached to a Warrior Transition Program and/or a Wounded Warrior Program, or may be a veteran.
Military personnel in the Warrior Transition Program are assigned to that program because they have significant health needs. The focus for the Warrior Transition Program is healing followed by transition back to regular service, reserve status, civilian life, or veteran status. The injuries to these soldiers have often occurred in combat, but not always. Military personnel who suffer from injuries or illness incurred in the line of duty after September 10, 2001, in support of Overseas Contingency Operations since 9/11 and receive or expect to receive a Physical Disability Evaluation System rating of 30% or greater in one or more specific categories, are designated as Wounded Warriors.
The Horses for Heroes program does not limit services to those individuals who have only been seriously injured in combat in the war against terrorism. We honor each and every military service person and their families. For those who have sustained injury or illness while in service to our country we want to be part of their recovery, regardless of how or when the injury occurred. There are 22 military facilities near Dream Catchers, including two Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals. Many of our staff members, board members, and volunteers have or are serving in the military or have been raised in military families. We are part of a military community. The time has come to make therapeutic riding and other horse related activities available to our brothers and sisters in the armed services in our region.
Horses for Heroes serves warriors in groups. The benefits of working with military personnel in groups are that they share a culture. That culture provides support when support is needed and challenges service members to be their best. These groups come with some of their own supports such as “battle buddies.” During a deployment to a combat zone, battle buddies watch each other’s backs, keep each other safe, and are there when things get tough. These buddies will come with the participants in the Horses for Heroes Program. The new war these heroes fight is for health, to maximize their potential and to find peace of mind. Other support coming with these groups include a nurse, and may include other health professionals as well.
The focus of each lesson is for participants to learn and practice horsemanship. These skills include groundwork that consists of grooming, tacking (saddling and bridling), and the care of the horse as well as developing the respect of the horse through work in a round pen. Each participant will also work on riding skills that include learning to signal the horse and developing balance and coordination. Each lesson is two hours in order to allow each participant sufficient time for the groundwork and riding. Just as our other students are evaluated for contraindications for participation, these students will also be assessed. A release from the service member’s physician is a requirement.
We want our newest students to feel comfortable and to respect their privacy. Out of respect for their privacy, we ask that potential visitors ask us prior to visiting. We will share the stories of the heroes and their accomplishments only with their permission. We keep all student information confidential, without authorization to do otherwise.
PATH’s Horses for Heroes Website