EQUEST
HOOVES FOR HEROES
Equest HOOVES FOR HEROES serves veterans and their dependents through equine assisted programs including mental health counseling, physical/occupational therapy, therapeutic horsemanship/carriage driving and more.
Thanks to generous grant funding, charitable donations and underwriting, our Equest Hooves for Heroes program services are offered at no cost to active duty service personnel, members of the Guard or Reserve, or any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Their dependents are served at 50% off standard tuition rates for traditional equine therapy programs offered at Equest (not including counseling which is covered 100% for dependents.)
Equest's programs are individually tailored to meet the unique needs of the client. Our goal is to leverage the power of the horses to ease the participant's transition to civilian life and help them realize their potential as civic assets and community leaders.
Among the benefits:
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Improved self-awareness
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More effective communication skills
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Healthier relationships
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Enhanced emotional regulation
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Greater self-confidence
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Fellowship and camaraderie
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Opportunities to serve the community
Equine Facilitated Counseling is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance. The Fund for Veterans' Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families.
For more information, visit www.TVC.Texas.gov
Become a Client
If you're interested in becoming a Hooves for Heroes client or volunteer, please contact Veterans Manager
Joan Cutler at veterans@equest.org or (972) 412-1099, ext. 213.
To learn more about counseling services, please contact Counseling Program Manager Courtney Utter at cutter@equest.org or (972) 412-1099 ext. 207.
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The five components of therapeutic horsemanship offered
Horsemanship 101
Participants spend an afternoon learning the basics of ground handling plus enjoy fun and insightful team building activities -as part of the herd. It is a family friendly introduction to the power of horses.
Therapeutic Riding
Program participants join with fellow veterans and military spouses to learn mounted equestrian skill development and progression while building meaningful relationships with their horses and each other.
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Carriage Driving
Clients learn to drive a horse drawn carriage which results in motor-sensory skill development and strengthening. Drivers master this task with precision and purpose.
PT/OT (Hippotherapy)
Hippotherapy is a unique form of physical, occupational, and speech therapy using the movement of the horse to accomplish therapy treatment goals.
Equine Facilitated Counseling
Many of our clients find EFC uniquely suited for achieving enhanced emotional wellness and a more satisfying life. Working with a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist and one or more horses, clients work towards their goals. Many develop a deeper self-awareness, improved self-efficacy, richer interpersonal relationships and greater resilience in the face of life's challenges.
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Partnering Veterans' Service Organizations
Equest partners with several Veterans’ Service Organizations (VSOs) and resource providers to help address individual reintegration needs outside the scope of the Equest Veterans Program, HOOVES FOR HEROES. By working together, veterans have access to a variety of organizations devoted to improving wellness across multiple aspects of life. Together, Equest and our partner VSOs are collaborating to equip our military heroes and their families for long-term, productive, community engagement.
If you're interested in partnering with Hooves for Heroes, please contact veterans@equest.org or (972) 412-1099, ext. 213.
