War Vets Get Help from Rich Iannucci's 'Therapeutic Riding' Program

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

25 April 2011

From post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to limited limb function due to combat wounds, and everywhere in between, wounded war veterans have been finding solace in Rick Iannucci's Cowboy Up! therapeutic riding program.

Riding helps the veterans not only regain physical strength, but spiritual strength. Iannucci likes to call PTSD "post traumatic spiritual disorder", as he believes what has happened has been a wounding of the spirit.

The wounded veterans also regain faith, Iannucci notes. He focuses on regaining faith in oneself, others, and God, or the "Great Mystery as our Native [American] brothers and sisters call it," he says.

Therapeutic riding for veterans dates back to just after World War II, when some European countries used it to help their wounded vets rehabilitate.

Read the full article here.