Horses for Heroes
http://www.horsesforheroes.org/
When Veterans come to the ranch and meet our horses they soon realize that it is the horse who is their teacher. Horses carry us both physically and spiritually and experiencing a horse either through ground work or riding is transforming. As our Native American brothers tell us, the horse is our connection between the physical world and the spiritual world.
Horses teach us to focus our intention by commanding us to be in the present moment. They are Zen masters, with gentle spirits who help us to live in the here and now, to be aware, and help one to achieve tranquility.
The horse has long been known as the symbol of transcendence and that is exactly what they do here, they help our Veterans to transcend, rise above, surpass, eclipse and throw into the shade adversity. Horses will help you to create that inner peace that we all can use, if you are willing to listen and learn.
Utilized in Germany and the United Kingdom in the rehabilitation of World War II veterans, the therapeutic nature of riding gained momentum in the U.K. and the United States following the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games when, despite having paralysis form polio, Liz Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal for dressage. This great achievement caused medical and equine professionals to take notice of the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding for rehabilitation. Some of the benefits noted:
* Builds self-esteem, empathy, and a sense of responsibility through the relationship with the horse.
* Improves posture, balance, symmetry and muscle control through the rhythmic movement of riding
* Gives riders self-confidence through the leadership they exhibit with their mount
* Encourages a new visual perspective of independence
Whether grooming or going horseback horses have so much to share.
About the program / requirements
This is not a rehab program - you must have already transcended your addiction to participate.
You the Veteran MUST contact us yourself.
OUR PRIMARY COMMITMENT: We are a small facility and are able to serve a limited amount of veterans annually. Our priority is to serve New Mexico Veterans. If you are calling from another state - we are happy to consider your application per the following guidelines.
CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION FOR COWBOY UP! PROGRAM:
- No horse or ranch skills necessary to participate
- Participants can be Male or Female
- Must be Honorable Discharged OIF - OEF - or Active Military
- Must submit a DD214 with application
- If diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you must submit current VA rating and a letter of completion of a VA PTSD program or private sector equivalent, as our program is complimentary working in conjunction to heal body, mind and soul as a whole.
- Must be ambulatory (able to sit a horse without assistance).
- Must not exceed 200 lbs., no exceptions.
- Must have own transportation to and from the ranch. If flying into Albuquerque or Santa Fe Airport we will pick you up.
- Must not have a civil or criminal legal case current or pending.
- Must be alcohol and drug free (no alcohol or drugs permitted on site other than prescription medication).
Veterans who want to commute to the ranch have the option to participate in our non-resident, self-paced program with sessions that will be scheduled around their availability, as well as ours. This is a great option for NM veterans attending school or with jobs.
Our resident ten (10) day sessions are scheduled from April through November. Participants will also be able to sign on for additional or follow on sessions depending on availability and season. E-mail us for availability. This is a great option when time restraints are not an issue.
Our training day usually begins with morning feeding of horses and cattle on premise. Generally a full day of horsemanship and other ranch activities follow, and ends with feeding in the evening. So be prepared for long days. Evening brings porch sitting with time to take in the beautiful New Mexico sunset along with views of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo and Ortiz mountains and the Cerrillos hills.
Some meals, lunches mostly, will be supplied to accommodate our work and training schedule. You will be responsible for your own breakfast and supper. Coffee maker, microwave, grill and toaster oven are in the bunkhouse along with a refrigerator and small freezer for your convenience (see photos below).
There is no TV and no computer service in the bunkhouse.
Bathroom and shower is in the bunkhouse.
Bedding and towels are provided. If needed, coin laundry facilities are available in down town Santa Fe (approx. 20 miles north).
UPCOMING DAY RETREAT FOR WOMEN VETERANS
SATURDAY MAY 31ST, 2014
~ CLICK HERE TO SEE FLYER:
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Open to all women veterans and active military and reserves.
We offer Women Veteran Day Retreats several times a year weather permitting, so please, If you would like us to add you to our e-mail notification mailing list for upcoming Women Veteran programs please e-mail us.
Military Spouse Advocacy Network
http://www.milspouseadvocacynetwork.org/
Military spouses face many challenges, this is why MSAN and its advocates provide and encourage military spouses to utilize and take advantage of many programs, resources, and benefits available to them. Some of those challenges are related to education, employment, deployments, reintegration, health, and wellness. All military spouses need and deserve an installation advocate to provide assistance. This is why MSAN is your #1 advocate; we are assigning MSAN Advocates to all military installations!
Military Spouse Advocacy Network is dedicated to advocate and help military spouses to gain their confidence and skills needed to make their voices heard. MSAN offers different tools and resources that provide education, training, webinars, resources, and much more information.
National Veterans Wellness and Health Center
http://www.veteranswellnessandhealing.org/
National Veterans Wellness and Healing Center in Angel Fire is providing week long retreats for Veterans and their significant others who have been diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Their retreats offer equine therapy, massage, yoga, acupuncture, art therapy, and reiki, along with individual couples and group counseling. The natural setting of Angel Fire in the Sangre de Cristo mountains is the perfect location to bring couples to a place where healing in nature is optimal. The Veteran couples experience Native American hand washing ceremony and storytelling of the warrior culture. These retreats are only possible with the help from our generous donors and grant funding.
Couples will experience a "Welcome Home" reception to start out the week with a theme for every day after that. Orientation and Connecting is the second day theme. The Past, where discussion takes the couples to the impact of deployment consists of the third day. The Present, concentrating on coming home and re-union along with reintegration skills is scheduled for days four and five. The Future focused on planning the future and goal setting is day six. Connecting and Resources, offering workforce solutions and veterans benefits along with ceremony is the last day of the retreat. Departure with feedback and evaluations ends with couples saying good bye with lasting friendships and support. It is a full week of tools and skills which will help the couples as they return to daily living.
New Mexico Veterans Integration Centers
http://www.nmvic.org/
To respond to the needs of veterans, with focus on those who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis, through the provision of quality employment training, housing and supportive services based on a Continuum of Care.
Paws and Stripes
http://www.pawsandstripes.org/
Paws and Stripes provides service dogs for military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
The dogs come only from shelters, and highly trained service dog trainers work with the veteran/dog teams. The dogs and the training are provided to the veteran free of charge.