Working with animals -especially highly trained ones- can create a special connection between
man and beast.
One Iowa organization is helping military veterans and individuals with special needs
via an innovative equestrian therapy.
This therapeutic outdoor experience breeds trust, builds confidence, and empowers visitors
to ease their way into equine rehabilitation, one horseback ride at a time.
An argument could be made that horses, not dogs, are truly man’s best friend.
What animal has done more for us than the horse?
They’ve carried us into battle, pushed civilization through impassable terrain, entertained us
with their speed, and provided companionship when a person simply cannot.
Today, these majestic creatures continue to provide these and many more irreplaceable
skills; However, for some the ability to form a calming relationship is their most indispensable
talent.
In Decorah, Thunder Rode therapeutic riding has cultivated this trait to help those in
need.
For ten years Michelle McLain has been offering equine assisted therapy to individuals looking
for solace.
Whether treating multiple sclerosis, anger management, attention deficit disorder, Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder, or one of many of ailments horses can do wonders to provide
peace.
Equine assisted therapy is actually been around since the 1960s and the neatest thing about
it to me is its still grassroots.
The first state funding that I’ve heard of actually happening in Wisconsin.
Starting each April, Thunder Road provides therapeutic riding for youth in need through
its Iowa Thunder Empowerment program . And Michelle sees every aspect of the experience
helping kids achieve a sense of calm.
Which part of it isn’t therapeutic.
First of all you’re brushing, you’re pettting, It puts you in the driver seat that you have
to calm them down...
And you have remain calm to hold control.
Because if you're not paying attention to what's going on underneath you,
Or you don't want to get stepped on, bit, or whatever.
You have to pay attention.
It empowers them, so once they have that confidence, it carries over into everything else they do.
And while participating in Thunder Rode’s sessions has done wonders for the riders,
the empowerment kids are still kids, who simply love the interacting with the animals.
I love riding horses.
Probably just the feeling of being around the horses.
It’s calming really, just being outside and just being on something that also enjoys
being outside.
It's nice.
The other thing that the horses do for people is they listen, but they don’t talk
back.
And if you’re doing somethign they don’t like they let you know immediately.
While every summer weekend Thunder Rode opens its ranch children with special needs, Michelle
has recently pushed to reach a very special group; veterans suffering from PTSD,
or post traumatic stress disorder.
We still don't have the veteran that comes out once a week, but that's coming
So what we started with is we work with disabled american veterans chapter 8.
Which is our region.
I went to a DAV meeting and we all said "well what should we do? What should we do?"
We should have an open house!
What it did was a beginning.
The second year of Thunder Rode veteran equine therapy services, the farm was invited to
the Iowa City Tee Tournament, an event which provides legally blind and eligible disabled
veterans opportunities to develop new skills.
That event showed Michelle the true power of her animals with a blind veteran.
I mean our first year we had a gentlemen, he got on Lily and he didn’t get very far.
I mean Lilly was shaking.
So first thing I said was breath and Lilly started relaxing and dropping her head.
And then I asked the gentlemen, to pet her.
And he reached out like this… and I asked our you blind?
Then I kept my hand on his and lilly dropped her head and let out a big sigh…
I told him " before you get off, I want you to know
you were successful.
You got on, you road, you're getting off safely.”
Kirt came over and told us that guy was blinded in Vietnam and hadn’t left
his house in 25 years.
So for him to even come to the tournament and pick horseback riding, oh my gosh.
From that experience, Michelle has expanded her veterans outreach efforts with an annual
veterans affairs open house.
This year, Thunder Rode hosted various veterans groups including local VA hospitals, equine
assisted therapy providers from Wisconsin, and various speakers detailing personal experiences
with PTSD recovery.
I’m deathly afraid of horses.
On February 17, 2014 I had a friend say
"Time to conquer a fear today at trinity equestrian center, just to get to know horses."
Then in June 2014 is when I actually
Had the appointment set, went out, met with Toni and said "I need help."
Equine Assisted therapy has been nothing short of a blessing to Former Army Sergeant, Brandon
Drost.
After being honorably charged from the military, Brandon found himself in the throes of PTSD
and it nearly cost him his life.
It’s been a dark road for me, quite a few years...
I'm one of those guys that... tasted the barrel of a pistol too many times.
I lost a marriage, lost a lot of my friends...
lost a lot of my family members...
and then somebody showed that they cared about me and wanted me to get better and
kinda put their foot in my butt and got me to go.
Today equine assisted therapy has brought Brandon back from the brink.
So much so that he’s comfortable enough to share his story at Thunder Rode’s event,
and he gives all the credit to his Wisconsin equine therapy provider and of course it’s
animals.
...Horses, almost show the same emotions as humans...
And horses unlike humans, they don’t have an alternative motive. They aren't there
to get personal gain. What are they gonna gain if I"m there or not?
I’ve really just put the connection.
They’re not there for themselves, we’re there together to help each other and it’s
worked for me.
I don’t know.
It’s for life.
It’s my light on a dark day.