war indelibly impresses upon those it touches… if not on the flesh, then in the soul.

For the month of June, we acknowledge PTSD Awareness Month, an intentional time of year where we bring awareness to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, specifically the prolonged battled many Veterans face following their time of service.

This year, because of the kindness and support of a very generous donor, we are excited to offer a $10,000 donation-match opportunity for all donations made to our HorseSense for Heroes program -- a therapeutic horseback riding program specially designed to meet the unique needs of Veterans and their families.

PTSD is defined as having intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to a traumatic experience that lasts long after the event has ended. Those who suffer form PTSD may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, feel sadness, fear or anger, and may feel detached or estranged from other people. This estrangement and distrust of others often prevents Veterans from receiving the very care they need to heal from their wartime service.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is referred to as the "invisible wound" of war. Unlike bullets or bombs, PTSD leaves no marks on the body, but indelibly etches its scars deeply into the heart, mind and soul of Veterans. And here at HorseSense, by way of a one-of-a-kind relationship with one of our therapy horses, those Veterans are able to take the first and crucial step to healing and recovering from their wartime wounds.

Double your impact today!
All donations up to $10,000 matched throughout June!

our HorseSense for Heroes program is offered completely free to Veterans and their families. We cannot do this without the generous support of people just like you.

Therapeutic horseback riding is recognized as one of the most influential and progressive forms of therapy for individuals with disabilities. In fact, a recent clinical study in Military Medical Research found that therapeutic horseback riding programs—just like HorseSense for Heroes—are clinically effective at alleviating PTSD in service members populations.

PTSD can cause symptoms such as anxiety, nightmares, moodiness, inappropriate anger, depression, substance abuse and psychosocial difficulties. Working with horses teaches Veterans to relax and adapt their behaviors and body language to meet the needs of the horse. As one trainer put it, "“A horse is 1,200 pound of lie detector. He responds positively to positive words and behaviors, and negatively to negative words and behaviors.”

HorseSense for Heroes offers Veterans and their loved ones the opportunity to grow, overcome fear and disbeliefs, find comfort and acceptance, and be welcomed into a community of like-minded people who understand firsthand the difficulties they face as a result of their combat experiences.

The wounds of combat can never fully be healed. Many Veterans will invariably carry the burdens of wartime service throughout their lives. But with your support, HorseSense will keep working hard to lighten their load—removing stones from the rucksack—so they can go on to live full, meaningful and rewarding lives…can they count on you?