I found this organization when I attended a fundraiser with a friend. I was so impressed with their mission, their dedication to the clients, and the horses they've rescued and taken in that I started volunteering. The transformation they make to the horses and to their clients is awe inspiring. The benefit it provides to my soul I am sure pales in comparison to what those in harm's way receive. I see the difference between their demeanor when they arrive and when they leave.
I bring groups of 10 to 18 soldiers out to Horses Healing Heroes from all around the country while they are stationed here for a training school. The majority of them have been deployed, some 3 or 4 times. We do a project in the morning, they serve us a great lunch, then the afternoon is spent doing team exercises with the horses and riding. The team exercises really help those who are struggling and it develops a bond that carries over into the classroom. I can't say enough about this program and how it impacts my soldiers. It's run by retired military, spouses of military, and sons/daughters of military. They understand us.
I attended an 8 week program at Horses Healing Heroes. They taught me about horses, how they listen and do not judge, how to groom and walk them, how to work them around obstacles in the arena. We did several sessions where the exercises we did with the horses had a direct parallel to things I am going through. Especially eye-opening was the session where we had to keep the horses away from the treats, like my friends and family try to keep me from turning to vodka when I'm stressed and then not being able to keep away from it. I go back whenever I can to groom and talk to the horses. My co-workers always know when I've been out on a weekend because they notice how calm and happy I am for days afterwards.
This is a beautiful, therapeutic ranch and I have seen first hand the relief, tears, restoration and peace an individual can find here by visiting and being in the presence of the horses and volunteers. There truly is nothing greater for the inside of a human than the outside of a horse. The horses, which are rescues themselves, are ready and willing to connect and take anyone, who wants to be in their presence and/or ride them, to a level of consciousness that will impact that person's outlook and begin a healing process. Take a visit - find peace, quiet, on the outside and inside.
Horses Healing Heroes is a valuable community resource for veterans, service men and women, law enforcement and first responders to receive services at no cost that are tailored to meet the needs of the individual. Therapy services are available in addition to opportunities for learning horsemanship, driving horse drawn carriages, and working outside in a pastoral environment on Horses Healing Heroes' ranch in Sacramento County, California. Horses Healing Heroes' board and staff are all volunteers and value giving back to those who've served and are serving. I encourage those interested to reach out: www.horseshealingheroes.org
Wonderful to see the connection horses provide, and the healing they allow with just their presence!
I found out about this organization when I was stationed at Beale AFB. I drove down 2 Saturdays a month for almost 7 months to meet with their therapist and work with the horses. Warrior was my favorite because I understood him. He had 5 previous owners before finding a safe and forever home at Horses Healing Heroes. I was the middle child of 5, and felt like no one wanted me either. Some days I needed to work with their therapist, some days I just needed to talk to Warrior. I was transitioning back to civilian life, going through a divorce, on meds for post traumatic stress and back injury from IED in Iraq, and majorly depressed. They taught me how horses live together and how it relates to how we as humans can live more peacefully. They brought back some normalcy to my life and I got off the meds. I moved away but still stay in touch, and I volunteer at a local horse rescue to be around these incredible animals.
I met Steve and Deb at the Sacramento Standdown, a 3-day event for homeless veterans. One of the veterans was living out of his truck. They had their Clydesdale named Hoss there and I this man able to go in and brush him and talk to him. He actually started crying and said he never thought he'd ever see or touch a horse again. The gentleness that came over him was absolutely transforming and he had a smile on his face the rest of the weekend. They are still in touch with him, let him use their address for job searches and helped him get back on his feet. Truly amazing people with a program that reaches into the hearts of our veterans.
Horses Healing Heroes is an incredible organization helping many within our community with PTSD. The heart and soul the leadership puts into this program allows for miracles to happen at the ranch. The care and concern put into maintaining a quality life for each therapist, horse, at the facility, allows the therapist to work miracles within those suffering. Many times I've worked with their clients only to hear them say.."I'm calm, I have no worries at the moment"I feel safe," "I have no anxiety." All at the hands of the therapists....the horses! Deborah & Steven are special leaders that put their blood, sweat and tears into this program that is unmatched anywhere. Whether you need to confide in a goat, or walk a horse, or just watch the farm animals BE, Horses Healing Heroes is where you can go to restore some sanity and love in your life and in your heart.
