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The unique healing properties of horses is being embraced by an Australian charity with an ‘Equine Therapy Program’, treating PTSD, anxiety and depression.
The charity, Mates4Mates supports current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members, and their families, who have physical or psychological wounds as a result of their service.
Horse breeder and real estate agent from Ray White Dural, Meredith Spencer is one who understands the healing power of horses and was moved to donate one of hers to the charity after seeing the work they do.
“Horses are amazing animals. They are majestic, calming, therapeutic and challenging. They are just beautiful creatures.”
“I breed all of these beautiful horses for show jumping and dressage, I have one - Liliana - that was injured as a youngster and can’t be ridden so I decided that she would be perfect for their program as she has the right personality.”
Ms Spencer contacted Mates4Mates who put me in contact with David Crispe from Equine Encounters Australia.
“They came out and had a look at her and hung with her for about 20 mins and explained the program to me.”
Founder of the program, Brenda Tanner said horses are perfect because they will always reflect what a human is experiencing.
“If a human is very anxious or frightened, the horse’s behaviour reflects that.”
“It enables participants to engage with a range of emotions and experiences and to accept and better control those emotions.”
Speaking of Ms Spencer’s donation of Liliana, Ms Tanner said: “It’s a massive donation from our perspective because we have four male horses that we use in the Hunter Valley and to have a female horse in the herd is fantastic.”
“When the participants go in to meet the herd, often the female soldiers will pair up with the female horse, even though they don’t know it.”
While sad to let her beloved horse go, Ms Spencer is very excited about the good work Liliana will be able to do for Australia’s war veterans and serving soldiers.
“I was fortunate enough to meet a guy who has gone through the program and to see that it really does work which was truly inspirational.”
“It’s such an amazing program. I don’t want this to stop with the horse. I want to be able to do some fundraising as well,” Ms Spencer said, adding that Liliana will also benefit from the program.
“She’s a big strong, calm horse so she can deal with the emotions that the participants are feeling without getting frightened.”
For more information see:
<a href="http://www.mates4mates.org
www.mates4mates.org
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