As we Tee Up for our third annual golf tournament to support Boulder Crest Retreat, we wanted to share a few stories and some insight as to why Boulder Crest Retreat (and your support) are so important. In this piece, we focus on the benefits of Equine Therapy as part of their PATHH Program.
No one goes away to war and comes back unscathed. Some of the wounds are visible and obvious to see, other wounds are buried deeper in the hearts and souls and minds of the brave men and women who risk their lives for us. Boulder Crest Retreat offers alternative therapies which address both the physical and internal struggles that our recovering combat Veterans face.
Equine Therapy is a unique and effective way of utilizing a horse’s non-judgmental nature to improve interpersonal relationships, confidence, empathy, stress tolerance, self-actualization and emotional awareness. Horses tend to mirror the attitudes and behaviors of those around them; thereby providing a platform where individuals can address how they are not only feeling, but also how they are emotionally interacting with others. In order to work with the horses, an inner calm must be established, a mutual trust formed, and a comfort developed. In developing these key connections with Clayton and Gabriel, BCR’s thoroughbred horses, those benefiting from this therapy find themselves regaining calmness, trust, and comfort in their own bodies as well as their minds. This is an essential step in the recovery process for anyone overcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or similar psychological stressors. Click here to gain a better understanding of how Boulder Crest Retreat utilizes Equine Therapy as one of the many beneficial aspects to their PATHH Programs.
The mission of Boulder Crest is to create a free, first class rural retreat for transitioning Veterans to visit with their families for rehabilitation and reintegration back into civilian life after combat. VMSI is involved in a variety of events to support Boulder Crest, including our major fundraising event of the year, the annual golf tournament in June, from which all proceeds are donated to Boulder Crest Retreat. To find out more, or participate as a player or sponsor, please contact BCRGolf@vetms.com!