Many people who come to our rehabilitation center have lost control. They may not be able to regularly pay bills, and many of them know what it’s like to have no home at all. By getting them into a routine and learning how to fulfill obligations again, we equip our residents for the skills that will greatly improve their quality of life after leaving treatment. 3. Equine Therapy Helps Veterans Regain Strength While most active military personnel are considered to be in “good shape,” addiction is seldom gentle on the body. When they come to us, many patients report a loss of physical strength, range of motion, and endurance. Regaining these abilities is a key part of building confidence and starting a healthy lifestyle, and we use horse therapy to help our patients achieve that. Caring for horses has plenty of mental benefits, but a good portion of the work is physical. After all, horses are large creatures, and making sure that they’re healthy and well-looked- after is a lot of work. For that reason, veterans report the following benefit after participating in equine therapy treatments: • Improved strength • Increased range of motion • More stamina • Better cardiovascular function Addiction is not solved solely in the mind or solely in the body. But by strengthening both, equine therapy allows us to give our patients the best chance for long term recovery. How Do We Handle Equine Therapy? Now, let’s talk about what you can expect from the equine assisted therapy program at Heroes’ Mile. We hold our equine therapy services once a week under the supervision of a doctor of psychology and a licensed mental
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