Equine therapy is helping servicemen and women who are trying to adjust to life back home after serving in Iraq & Afghanistan. Readjusting to civilian life can present significant stress for veterans, the transition is filled with complicated and confusing challenges. Some feel isolated and alone and have difficulty communicating, even with their families. Others struggle to find or hold a job or face long and difficult recoveries from war injuries or PTSD. Finding and connecting with the right support and services can be overwhelming. Homeward Bound Adirondacks is a non-profit group assisting Veterans with services that include equine therapy. As part of our on-going Veterans Coming Home campaign at Mountain Lake PBS, producer Michael Hansen introduces us to Valerie Ainsworth, a clinical social worker and therapist who assists veterans and their families using horses.
Veterans Coming Home is made possible with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with local support from Twinstate Technologies.