Naples Therapeutic Riding Center Partners with Home Base SWFL to Bring Equine Healing to Military Families

Established in 1997, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of children and adults with physical, social, and mental health needs through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs. Home Base SWFL is collaborating with Naples Therapeutic Riding Center to help Veterans in the South West Florida community heal from the invisible wounds.

During a recent Adventure Series, Home Base SWFL Veterans and Family Members visited the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center to experience the healing power of equine therapy. Throughout the evening Veterans were able to interact and work with the riding center’s horses. During the horsemanship workshop specially curated for Veterans, participants were able to work directly with horses while engaging in a group process to overcome obstacles. The ground-based exercises are interactive and challenging. Participants work with NTRC’s certified equine specialists and therapy horses to improve mood, communication, and well-being through a guided series of specially designed activities.  “It’s good exercise to walk around with the horses because they have the same type of movement that people do”, says Missy Lamont, NTRC Executive Director. “Horses are large animals and can really give a person a sense of confidence if they have been lacking it. They are magical and emotional animals and being around them can really help people feel special.”

 

Home Base SWFL is excited to keep this partnership going. Adventure Series like these are modeled after Naples Therapeutic Riding Center “Operation Strides” Veterans program which is open to all Veterans and their Families.