Abused horses now rehabbed to help veterans with PTSD

WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | 19 June 2016 | SUSAN HAIGH

[COBOL2Java]

In this June 13, 2016 photo, Dan and Amy Thomas try to calm the two Friesian horses they were picking up at the Connecticut Department of Agriculture's large animal rehabilitation center at the York Correctional Center in Niantic, Conn. The horses were among others seized in February as part of an animal-cruelty probe, that were later auctioned off. (AP Photo/Susan Haigh)

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NIANTIC, Conn. (AP) — After losing sight in his right eye from a 2013 rocket attack in Afghanistan, retired U.S. Army Maj. Dan Thomas recovered with help from an equine therapy program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Hoping to help other veterans, he and his wife traveled from their home in Alabama to Connecticut last week to purchase two massive, jet black carriage horses, animals that were put up for auction by the state after they were seized from a breeder in February as part of an animal abuse investigation and rehabilitated through a state program involving female prison inmates who help with the care.

Thomas said the two Friesian mares, among 32 emaciated and depressed horses taken from the farm, are the perfect animals to help veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“They know what it’s like to go through hell and come out the other side,” said Thomas, who plans to create a program similar to the one he experienced at the couple’s 160-acre ranch in Black, Alabama. The Friesians, 1,400-pound Francisca and 1,000-pound Rosalind, will join seven other horses the couple previously rescued.

[CGASMIA68]

Wilbur.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGdxxMECZz4

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As a horse owner (well who owns who really?) I can tell you that a psychological bond can be amazingly strong between rider and horse.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Good story. thanks for posting.