Two thoroughbred horses from William Woods University moved to New Mexico to help war veterans. The horses - Glory Road (JJ), 15, and Rampart, 18 - will work with the therapeutic program Healing America's Heroes (HAH), a nonprofit organization.
HAH's goal is to help veterans develop and improve skills and promote healing and restoration. The grand opening or pilot program ran through Sept. 20 in Plaza Blanca, New Mexico. The pilot program included meals, tent lodging and therapeutic programs for four Vietnam veterans.
Separate sessions will be held for female veterans as well as for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. A William Woods University press release stated, "According to a University of California-San Francisco/San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center study, 40 percent of U.S. Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from a mental disorder or related behavioral problem."
Studies have shown that if untreated, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead to chronic mental illnesses.
Jahnae H. Barnett, president of William Woods, and her husband connected with HAH.
"We are happy to support such a good cause and give new purpose to horses that have served our students well, but were ready for retirement. JJ and Rampart will provide relief for veterans and their families in a natural environment, where they will be groomed, played with and ridden on a beautiful ranch," Barnett said in a press release.
HAH is working with its local community to establish a variety of therapeutic opportunities such as animal husbandry, wool weaving, tire recycling and farm operations.
Eddie Crain, Vietnam veteran and founder/president of HAH, said in a press release that he is appreciative of the horses. He thinks the horses' "retirement home" will help them as much as their move will help the veterans.
Jennie Petterson, chair of the equestrian studies division, agreed that the horses' new home will be good for them.
"Both Rampart and JJ had been wonderful school horses, but were ready for a slower and easier lifestyle. As show horses ready for retirement, the combination of steady but light work and lots of turnout was just what we wanted for them," Petterson said in the press release.