Wounded soldiers, families try equine therapy
The objective for the week was to offer wounded soldiers a respite at the beach. But U.S. Army Specialist Jennifer Allen found a deeper solace in an unexpected place — a stable near Lewes.
The combat medic mounted a horse named Stormy and suddenly felt empowered in a way she had not felt for some time. As Jennifer rode around the riding ring at Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding, a nonprofit that offers equine-assisted therapy to individuals with a variety of conditions and disabilities, her mind felt at peace. She has been battling post-traumatic stress disorder since returning from in Iraq in 2006.
“This was by far the highlight of the week for all of us. I had a chance to feel in control. My children and I had a chance to bond, which is much more difficult for me to do now,” explained Allen, who was stationed at the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell.
Allen and her three children were among the 30 families who spent a week in coastal Delaware thanks to Operation SEAs the Day, which offers hospitality and recreation to soldiers and veterans who are recovering from service-related injuries.
The families enjoyed many activities that ranged from boating and paddling to horseback riding, all at virtually no cost. Those vets and families who visited the stable hailed from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Delaware.
Kelly Boyer, vice president and secretary of SDTR, said the organization was honored to participate and offer healing moments through interactions with their horses, Lucy, Willy and Stormy. The stable plans to offer ongoing services to veterans once it moves into its new, larger facility in 2016.
SDTR has provided equine therapy at leased facilities for more than 25 years. Its services help people with disabilities improve their balance, coordination and core body strength and develop self-confidence, social and communication skills. However, the nonprofit has needed to move frequently as farms and stables were purchased for development purposes.
Facing yet another relocation by the summer of 2015, the stable board moved to acquire land on Robinsonville Road and construct its own riding facility that will allow SDTR to accommodate five times the number of child and adult participants, up to 150 per year. The stable will also increase the number of short-term programs offered through various nonprofit partners. The new riding center will be constructed over the next several years.
“We wanted to participate with the Wounded Warriors because this is a constituency we would like to serve. We needed to see how it would go and it was a great success,” Boyer said.
Equine-assisted therapy is particularly helpful for veterans and their families who may suffer both from injuries and from accompanying nightmares, anxiety, depression and anger. Even a few hours of interaction seems to help reduce stress, Boyer said.
Dawn E. Peet, a Delaware National Guard state family program director, said she was impressed by what she saw during a visit to the stable.
Peet observed a soldier who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan — and was found under rubble in a building that had been blown up by the enemy forces — grooming and riding a horse.
“I watched as he stood and stroked the muzzle of ‘his horse,’ talking softly with him, connecting,” she added. “I salute Operation SEAs the Day and SDTR for giving back and making a difference.”
To learn more about SDTR’s services and expansion plan, go to sdtrhr.com.