I have another question, while I'm waiting for an answer on my brain post.
While researching PTSD, I came across a number of sites that offer hippotherapy or equine assisted therapy sessions for vetrans. Some of the programs were riding based for amputees, etc, but others were ground work for psychological problems, primarily PTSD. The thought behind it is based on the fact the horses are first and foremost prey animals, and they are extremely accurate at reading body language (BS-detectors like nobody's business!)
Horses absolutely know if you are nervous, even unconsciously, and they react accordingly, because if you are afraid, there must be something to scared of. I've been working with a young horse the past few evenings getting him used to an umbrella and a hoola hoop (teaching horses to be calm around kids is a creative process that requires desensitizing to all kinds of odd ball stuff). Horses are afraid of anything that moves and makes a noise, and will run first and ask questions later. My gelding probably thinks I have a respiratory condition because the only way I can make him relax is to force myself to relax and take huge "martyred" sighs every few minutes. If I don't and tense up (in case he does spook and jerk the lead rope out of my hand), he does exactly that, like a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's going better, but it is a lot of work for both of us just to breathe sometimes. It's also interesting how you have to teach both sides of the horse separately, because they don't have binocular vision. The right side horse will be ok with something, while the left side horse thinks it's a horse-eating contraption and remains terrified for much longer.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent. Has anyone heard or looked into these programs, or tried one?
I signed up to be a volunteer at our local equine therapy farm and will go to orientation this month. This farm does regular work with the local rehab hospital and individuals, so I'm hoping to learn a lot more about it soon.

The program is called "Horses for Heroes" and is a regular part of the NARHA. From what I've found researching it, there quite a few farms that offer these programs for vets and their families, many at little or no cost. I found a lot of links on both the NARHA.org website and on the RideUpToTheChallenge.org site (you can google hippotherapy, veterans, PTSD and such together and find info too.) I just wanted to get an idea on if anyone had ever heard of it, or been referred to a farm, or asked about it before. It looked like the program has a lot of support, but it's only been around since 2007 for NARHA, though much longer for civilians.
Thanks for listening,
Monica

Ok, so lots of people have looked at my post, but no one has said a single word, for better or for worse.
I've been volunteering two nights a week at the therapy riding facility for the past three months, and it's been very interesting. The farm is going to be sending delegates to the NARHA convention with the intention of collecting info on how to start the Horses for Heroes program at their facility, (which is top notch and just opened this past spring, after operating out of an old tobacco barn for 20 years.) Does anyone have any suggestions or questions we should be sure to ask before starting a therapy partnership with the VA? This group has worked with a local rehab facility for several years, but has never worked with the VA, which I'm sure does things differently from the private sector.
I, for one, am looking forward to working with adult riders instead of kids. One of my riders is fairly independent and just requires prompting to keep him on task, while the other is very young and much more tiring for the whole team, sidewalkers, leaders and horse. It is amazing how much difference you see from week to week tho, in concentration, flexibility, and confidence. I can definitely see why their volunteer crew is so dedicated, and why they have so many riders who come back year after year. My older rider has partcipated for 5-6 years, and I hope my younger one shows that much improvement over time, as he's only in his first session. You have to credit the parents and family members though. It's a tough place to be.
Thanks,
Monica