Healing hooves: Equine therapy raises spirits of Veterans

Ranger and Dare are in the therapy business. Like many of their peers, they spend their days working with kids, people with disabilities and Veterans… when not eating grass and alfalfa.

Ranger and Dare are American miniature horses for a North Texas non-profit that brings equine therapy to those who cannot travel to their home stable. Their audience on a recent sunny day at Dallas VA were Community Living Center (CLC) residents as part of their recreational therapy program.

Equine therapy and visits from Ranger and Dare are part of different therapeutic modalities VA recreation therapists bring to Veterans receiving nursing home level of care, assistance with daily activities and medical care.

“These visits bring invaluable benefits to our patients,” said Amor Aguilera, recreation therapist. “Animals can aid in healing emotional and behavioral conditions.”

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Photo Credit: VA News