Making a difference for our veterans under the auspices of “NARHA Horses For Hero's” offers equine activities and therapies to active duty or reserve military members, veterans, and members of the Illinois National Guard with disabilities.

BraveHearts provides veterans a way to experience equine assisted activities and therapies in an outdoor setting and farm environment.

These programs have been proven to help veterans with a variety of disabilities to improve their physical balance, gait and morale.

Therapeutic Riding:

Interaction and control of a horse or pony helps veterans build strength while improving balance, coordination, confidence and self esteem.

Therapeutic Carriage Driving:

Offers veterans with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional conditions the rewards of interaction and control of a horse or pony while driving from a carriage seat or in their own wheelchair. Using a horse and carriage gives participants an alternative or an addition to riding, opening up the world of horses to those who may be unable to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue, fear of heights, the inability to sit astride, or other issues.

Our Property offers

• Heated Indoor Arena 
• Large Outdoor Arena
• Spring Fed Pond
• Large Pastures & Paddocks
• Large Activity Room
• Riding/Driving Trail

HOW IS THIS THERAPY PAID FOR?

Currently, the therapy is paid for by a grant through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. The source of this funding is the State of Illinois Scratch-Off Lottery game, whose proceeds directly benefit Illinois Veterans.

In addition, tax-deductible donations provide significant and much needed financial support for our program.

WHAT KIND OF THERAPY IS PROVIDED?

BraveHearts offers both therapeutic horseback riding and therapeutic horse carriage driving.

HOW LONG HAVE PEOPLE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN EQUINE THERAPY?

Equine therapy has actually been around for centuries. It was introduced in Europe in the 1950's as a recognized form of rehabilitation therapy. Equine therapy began in the United States in the 1960's.

HOW DOES RIDING PROVIDE THERAPY?

When the horse is walking, its hips duplicate the three dimensional movement of the human hips. For those individuals who cannot walk, or cannot walk without assistance, sitting astride a horse allows the body to be moved as if it is walking normally. In addition, the rider's body needs to stabilize on a mobile platform, so core trunk strength is developed resulting in improved balance. Studies have shown that sitting on a walking horse for 30-45 minutes will improve a rider's balance.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE PROVIDED BY THERAPEUTIC CARRIAGE DRIVING?

Driving a horse and carriage is an alternative, or an addition, to horseback riding. It opens up the world of horses to those who may be unable to ride due to injury, weight, balance, fatigue, fear of heights, or any other challenges or issues. As they gain proficiency, and independence, drivers may even become competitive drivers in mainstream carriage driving competitions.

WHAT TYPES OF SPECIAL NEEDS CAN BENEFIT FROM EQUINE THERAPY?

Equine therapy benefits a wide range of special needs including, but not limited to, amputation (both upper and lower limb), paraplegia, quadriplegia, traumatic brain injury, visual impairments, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?

BraveHearts provides a registration packet, including a medical history form, a liability release form, and an emergency medical treatment form. Veterans must also have their physician's written permission to participate.

Veterans must be eligible to receive Department of Veterans Affairs medical services, or be a military person on active duty, reserves, or in the Illinois National Guard, and be a resident of the State of Illinois.

ARE THERE OTHER BENEFITS OF EQUINE THERAPY?

Definitely! Fun, relaxation, improved self-esteem, improved life-skills, a sense of accomplishment, independence, possible participation in competition, and, of course, the joy and satisfaction of interacting with a beautiful and gentle horse.

WHO OVERSEES THE RIDING AND/OR DRIVING SESSIONS?

Lessons are conducted by instructors certified by North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), www.narha.org. Highly trained volunteers are available to lead the horse and walk on either side of the rider. During therapeutic driving lessons, the instructor stays in the vehicle, yet allows the students to take more control of the horse to promote independence.

IS TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE?

In the case of some facilities, transportation is provided through the inpatient or outpatient programs. Speak with your therapist about transportation availability. Local veteran organizations such as VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, US Army Reserve or National Guard may also provide transportation services.

How Can I Get Started?

Speak with your therapist or physician, or call BraveHearts directly. Corporate office: 708-485-5629; farm office: 815-943-8226.

Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to our program. Volunteer tasks include: grooming, leading horses, side walking with students, recreation programs, day camp counselors and a variety of non-horse related jobs. Training for new volunteers and continuing education is held every six weeks. Call 630-834-1827 for more information.

Sponsor A Horse or Student

You can sponsor one of our therapeutic horses or students for as many or as few months as you like for $100 per month. This helps defray the cost of care and feed for the horses, or offsets the cost of lessons for a student. Each sponsor receives a photo of his/her horse or student and a certificate of appreciation.

Make a Donation

BraveHearts welcomes any and all donations to support our programs. All donations are tax deductible.