Strengthening its long-standing commitment to veterans, Slippery Rock University is empowering its equine-assisted programs at its on-campus Storm Harbor Equestrian Center thanks to a grant of $76,500 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The grant allows SRU to enhance programs that promote independence, well-being and quality of life for veterans, with a particular focus on their mental health.
Veterans from Butler County and four other surrounding counties have been coming to SRU to work with horses since 2006, shortly after Storm Harbor was founded, and through various grants and donor support the center has been able to offer equine-assisted programs to veterans free of charge.
As the program grew, and more veterans became interested in attending sessions at the center the need for funding increased, leading Betsy Kemeny, SRU professor of recreational therapy, to write a grant application to the Veteran’s Administration to further integrate coping skills and mindfulness interventions into the equine-assisted programs for veterans.
“We’ve always worked with social work,” Kemeny explained. “But now we’re collaborating with licensed social workers and clinical psychologists in an interdisciplinary approach with recreational therapy to provide an even better program for the veterans.”
With their new stream of funding, Storm Harbor has seen another uptick in interested veterans, and they have the resources to support them. Prior to receiving the grant, the center was hosting 50-60 veterans per month. The grant will allow Storm Harbor to accommodate more than 80 per month.
“We have a lot of veterans that come over and over,” said Courtney Gramlich, Storm Harbor’s manager. “Sometimes, veterans who have PTSD or other disabilities, don’t want to do their regular activities, but they know riding every week helps them to cope with their symptoms”
The frequency of participants in the programs that Storm Harbor offers serves as proof of the utility of equine assisted services for veterans.
One of these “repeat customers” is Charles Townsend, a veteran of the U.S. Army who spent three years stationed in Germany and at Fort Knox, Kentucky, was a horseman before entering the military and benefits from being back on the saddle.
“I’ve been riding for 14 years, and I owned a horse for five, so when I was introduced to this place, it brough me right back around to what I used to do and what I used to love,” Townsend said.
Townsend also said that after he completes his program, he plans to return to Storm Harbor as a volunteer.
Another returning veteran was Ryan Fusco, who served in Iraq from 2002-06, experiencing heavy combat in his time there.
“I enjoy it because it’s different,” Fusco said. “Animals just aren’t anything like humans. If I’m being honest, I prefer animals to humans, just because I’ve seen the bad side of humans. Animals aren’t nearly as mean as humans can be.”
Fusco had never ridden a horse before visiting Storm Harbor for the first time, but he said that there is a total change in his emotions once he gets on the back of a horse.
“You feel 10 times better,” Fusco said. “There is a bond that makes you feel better about yourself, and when you’re healing through something like I’m going through, it makes you more secure in yourself and more hopeful for the future. I can get through some things I didn’t think I was going to be able to.”
Storm Harbor’s presence on the SRU campus, and the role it plays for those who utilize its services, demonstrates SRU’s commitment to supporting and nurturing its community. As the center grows its services, the staff are prepared to welcome more veterans and people living with disabilities, as well as more students to get involved in helping and learning from others.
More information about Storm Harbor is available on the SRU website.
This article was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
