JTF Equine assisted Therapy Program
Coming Soon!

Bolsters Confidence

• The learning and mastery of a new skill (horsemanship) --enhances a person’s confidence in their ability to tackle difficult challenges, such as recovery, and leads to improved self-esteem.  It has the potential to reinforce things the person already does well and shows them they are capable of approaching new challenges and succeeding, which serves as a building block for all other therapy in which they may be involved.  Working with animals is part of a holistic approach that removes the coldness of clinical solutions previously offered as we learn more about the effects of persistent and sustained conflict on those who volunteer to serve.  Including the family as part of all of these efforts, if only to witness the progress their loved one is making as part of their recovery, works toward the healing of the military member and their families.

Communication Skills

• Horses' sensitivity to non-verbal communication assists people in developing a greater awareness of their emotions, the non-verbal cues that they may be communicating, and the important role of non-verbal communication in relationships.

Provides Perspective

Grooming activities and other types of care for a specific horse helps  service members to put aside the self-absorbed focus  of their problems, such as depression and stress.  This allows them to redirect their attention and interests outwardly toward safe and caring interactions, which works to build relationships based upon trust and mutual respect.

Builds Trust

• Learning to trust an animal as large, powerful, and potentially intimidating as a horse aids in the development or restoration of trust for those whose capacity for trust has eroded due to difficult life experiences such as overseas separation, spending time in a war zone, and experiencing the trauma of injury or death of close friends.    Often the consequences of these social and psychological difficulties do not manifest themselves until military personnel complete their deployment and begin to reintegrate with their families.  The isolation that can result because the family of the military member cannot relate to the circumstances they experienced during the deployment can create trust issues, anxiety, anger, etc.

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Reduces Anxiety

• Many studies of human-animal interaction indicate that contact with animals significantly reduces anxiety levels and the physiological results of stress. Some are initially afraid of horses, but horses’ genuine affection for humans allay this fear, which helps to mitigate anxiety issues.

Decreases Isolation Tendencies

For many individuals with PTSD,  the feeling of being rejected by, and different from, other people is a common occurrence. The horse's unconditional acceptance works to invite  those facing PTSD back into the fellowship of family and life thereby diminishing their isolation.