Some veterans are
using horse therapy to reduce their stress levels.
Iraq War veteran
Wolf Critton tells News 12 equine therapy is better than any medication he’s
ever received.
"Just
being able to get out of our own houses, our own heads, and engaging with
animals - that's been with us hundreds of years...it's really cool,” says Critton.
Critton is one of
six veterans participating in a five-week program at Brewster’s Pegasus
therapeutic riding. Today was their first day.
Putnam County Veterans Service Director
Karl Rohde is
also a veteran. He says at first he was skeptical of the program but after two
years ago of being around the horses, he became a horse handler.
"I can't
recommend something to somebody if I haven’t experienced it, so I said I'd come
and try it and see, and I was amazed,” recalls Rohde.
Due to the
pandemic, the therapeutic riding company was forced to close in March.
Executive Director Jeff Rumpf says the reopening in May was powerful.
"Children
with special needs, they were so overjoyed and the families were so overjoyed.
And veterans under double stress now,” says Rumpf.
According to
experts, horse therapy can assist with combating stress because they’re so
emotionally agile.
"They're
aware of everything, they're like a great biofeedback machine, that also gives
you fantastic energy,” says Rumpf.