VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site





Be sure to get all five
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News
Senate CVA
Veterans' News
VA Press
Releases
VSO Press
Releases

Download your
free copy of the
2007 VA benefits
handbook here...

Printer-Friendly Version

RIDING PROGRAM HELPS VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES --

"Individuals with special needs have been shown to improve

muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor

development and emotional well being."

James Bond, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, learns signals in the Horses for Heroes program at the Marion Therapeutic Association in Ocala on Sunday. (photo: LEE FERINDEN / STAR-BANNER)

For more about veterans' rehabilitation, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here... http://www.
yourvabenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=rehabilitation+rehab&op=or

Story here... http://www.ocala.c
om/article/20071206/NEWS/212060360/1001/NEWS01

Story below:

-------------------------

HORSES FOR HEROES

Riding program helps veterans with disabilities

BY GWENN WELCH
SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BANNER

MARION COUNTY - Horses for Heroes, a nationwide program, has come to the Horse Capital of the World.

The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association established the program for America's wounded service personnel and veterans. Riders participating in recent pilot projects at Fort Hood, Fort Meyers and the Department of Veteran Affairs found improvements in physical balance, gait and morale.

Now the program is being offered through the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association. The local riding center promotes the benefits of horses for individuals with disabilities.

"Individuals with special needs have been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture coordination, motor development and emotional well being," said Kate Robbins, the local association's program coordinator.

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association has been recognized by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association as a premier accredited center. They are one of seven therapeutic riding centers in the country to participate in the Horses for Heroes program.

Robbins said the organization launched the new program by working with residents at the Fort McCoy VFW Retirement Home.

"We expect this project to be a great success," said Gera Judge, director of program development for the retirement home.

Last weekend, five veterans who recently returned from Iraq came to Marion County from the James Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa to participate in the Horses for Heroes program. Some were amputees and others had suffered brain injuries. Hospital workers felt their participation in the program would have a positive impact on their recovery.

The Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, located at 3143 17th St., will add a second facility in early 2008. The Greenway facility will be located at 6860 S.E. 41st Court, Ocala, and will include a covered riding arena.

"We feel that concept protects our clients, volunteers, horses and instructors from the elements," Robbins said.

The 30 acres of land for the new facility were donated by the Florida Greenway; a Marion County Development Grant provided funds to build the structure.

"It's a new season, and new programs," said Robbins. "We have new faces and fabulous new horses to introduce this innovative program."

James Bond, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, learns signals in the Horses for Heroes program at the Marion Therapeutic Association in Ocala on Sunday.

Michael Kuhn, a Navy veteran, waves while riding a horse during the program "Horses for Heroes" at the Marion Therapeutic Association in Ocala on Sunday.

Michael Kuhn is helped onto Jager by volunteers at the Marion Therapeutic Association in Ocala, Florida on Sunday.

-------------------------

Larry Scott  --

Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage

email Larry

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site