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Thursday, February 23, 2017
Saratoga WarHorse Hits Milestone: 600th Veteran
The Saratoga WarHorse program hit a milestone in February in combating the invisible brokenness of post-traumatic stress among military veterans.
On Feb. 9, the 600th military veteran participated in the program, which has two locations – Saratoga Springs, NY and Aiken, SC. The 600th milestone took place at the Aiken, SC, location.
Saratoga WarHorse photo shows typical interaction between horse and veteran.
Marti Healy, in a special Saratoga WarHorse column, put it this way: “It seems like no small coincidence that the current average size of a combat battalion is 600 soldiers. And that the historic Charge of the Light Brigade involved 600 warriors, along with their horses, riding into the very ‘mouth of Hell, per Tennyson. And that now, 600 military veterans have come back from the gaping brink of another kind of hell – once again, with the unfailing loyalty of horses at their sides.”
The writer continued: “These modern-day 600 have survived personal battles and unseen wounds as horrific and heroic as any in history. And with one more surge of raw personal courage – scraped from somewhere deep within themselves – they have come to the Saratoga WarHorse program…
“Through this unique program, military veterans who are suffering with devastating yet invisible injuries and brokenness, such as PTSD and TBI, can address the healing process without more pills or lengthy therapies…” Participants “immediately interact with other veterans who have been exactly where they are right now – peer-to-peer, boot-to-boot. And they experience an individual encounter – a purpose-designed, experiential connection – with off-the-track Thoroughbred racehorses who have also known strikingly similar life challenges and pain and struggles.”
The Saratoga WarHorse program is free of charge to participating veterans. The Saratoga WarHorse Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, contact: susanr@saratogawarhorse.com.
