Veteran Equine Training Services of the Ozarks is Providing Equine Training and Horseback Riding Program to American Disabled Veterans Suffering from PTSD in the West Plains, MO Area.
The program is available to American Disabled Veterans suffering from PTSD living within driving distance of their ranch located 8 miles southwest of West Plains, MO, at no cost to the disabled veteran. The program operates May-October annually.
Clinical studies confirm that equine training and horseback riding have clinically significant impact on the quality of life for disabled veterans suffering from PTSD. Those veterans who went through the riding program reported lessening symptoms and better mental health. The veteran felt less anxious, depressed, angry, less isolated, and more confident than before the riding program.
The 8-week, 6-step equine training and horseback riding course consists of:
- The initial meet and greet includes introduction to Ginger, their 14-year-old Appaloosa mare that they have used for years to teach people to ride and a tour of the ranch.
- Course includes teaching the veteran equine safety, how to take the horse through ground exercises, proper method of saddling, mounting, and dismounting the horse, initial riding in the round pen and then into the arena where the veteran “gets comfortable in the saddle.”
- The veteran finishes the course with a two-hour trail ride in a group setting.
President and CEO Allen R. Dye of West Plains, MO. is a Christian, a Viet Nam veteran, retired Air Traffic Controller and for the past 15 years, with his wife, Debbie, has been training and boarding horses on their horse ranch.
The program will attract veterans through VA referral, advertising, social media, fliers, and brochures.
Mr. Dye said, “Disabled Veterans in our area deserve the opportunity to find relief form some of the stresses, they are experiencing through equine training and horseback riding right here at home.”
Veteran Equine Training Services of the Ozarks, INC is a tax exempt, nonprofit corporation. For program information or Tax-Deductible contributions call 877-5FORVETS or visit www.forvets.info
