The Vantage Point

Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, utilizes the unique relationship between humans and horses to promote healing and self-discovery. It encompasses various activities with horses, such as grooming, feeding, and riding, all while under the guidance of a mental health or physical therapy professional. The goal is to leverage the horse's natural qualities and behavior to help individuals develop emotional regulation, confidence, and social skills.

In this episode Alexander Varn, a troop psychologist with the German Armed Forces, dives deep into the science, biology, and theories as to why this breakthrough healing modality is so effective, while also sharing inspirational stories of real-life case studies along the way.

Types of equine therapy mentioned in the episode:

1) Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Focuses on mental health issues, with individuals working with a licensed therapist and a horse specialist.

2) Hippotherapy: Utilizes the horse's movement to improve physical, occupational, and speech therapy goals.

3) Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL): Helps individuals develop life skills through interactions with horses.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

0:23 Meet Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Varn

7:39 The Origins of Equine Therapy

25:37 The Science and Biology, Theory 1

39:54 Horse Live in the Present, Humans Do Not

41:58 Overcoming Obstacles, Theory 2

1:04:18 Horses Are Naturally Calm. Theory 3

1:14:50 Healing for Couples

1:17:08 A Success Story

1:24:23 The Future of Equine Therapy

1:36:32 An Autism Case Study

1:44:51 First Experience with a Horse

1:53:17 Words of Encouragement

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/g_ylJ5iTsn0

Resources:

https://www.veteranscenter.org/

https://remountfoundation.org/

You’re not alone.

#MilitaryCommunity #VeteranSupport #PatriotTalk #VeteranMentalHealth #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTransition #ptsd #ptsdawareness #VetLife #USArmy #USMC #USNavy #USAF #CoastGuard #MilitaryLife #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #VetTalk #VeteranVoices #HonoringHeroes #PodcastLife #VeteranStories #RealTalk #MilitaryMinds #vetpodcast #podcast #motivation #supportourtroops

Scott Wilson is a pastor of 32 years, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, and a father of four. In this intimate discussion, we talk through the importance of fostering a community and loving one another while working through dilemmas that may come up along the way. How can I love others when I don’t even love myself? Where do I vent my emotions when it seems like everyone else is dumping theirs onto me? How do I know God is real? These answers, as well as an abundance of wisdom, ahead in the episode.

Jonny is the Executive Director of Wild Warrior Adventure, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing our nation's warriors through fly fishing. After partaking in some of the most violent 15 months ever documented during the war on terror in Afghanistan, Jonny struggled to stay grounded while transitioning back into civilian life. "The Valley of Death", formally known as the Korangal Valley, is located in Dara-I-Pech District of Kunar Province, eastern Afghanistan. Jonny Benton, a former Army Airborne Infantryman, shares his intimate story with this valley and paints a picture of how this place earned its nickname.

Dr. Eric Abbott, a board-certified family medicine physician, earned his medical degree from the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and undergraduate degree from Colorado College. Dr. Abbott is also a United States Air Force veteran, having served 25 years. As a former flight commander, he has extensive leadership experience. Dr. Mike Hjelkrem, board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician, is a Retired Colonel from the US Army. He served for 21 years and accumulated a multitude of military accolades.

Kirsten Belaire is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor.  Her role is the Director of Behavioral Health at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center where she provides therapy to Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Veterans, and their families.  In this episode, we try to answer the question "how do we understand PTSD?" It starts with understanding your emotions.

Have you ever had a moment in life when you had nothing else to lose and just said "what the hell, let's do it?" This is the motto of Retired Lieutenant Colonel Joseph “M9” Markusfeld is a now a commercial pilot and former Special Operations Aircraft Commander. A US Air Force Academy Graduate Class of 1998, M9 was assigned to as a KC-135RT pilot at McConnell Air Force Base Kansas where he quickly qualified as a Special Operations Air Refueling Pilot and became one of the first aircrew deployed in response to 9/11. He would fly combat missions in the opening night of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and later as a Special Operations Aircraft Commander in the opening night of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2007, during deployment he partnered with the Iraqi Air Force at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq to stand-up the first ever Pilot Training Squadron in a combat zone. Following his return he was selected to stand-up Air Education Training Command’s Special Missions/Irregular Warfare Branch as the first Chief of Special Missions/Irregular Warfare Standardization and Evaluation. He would spend the next five years deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Ukraine embedding with our coalition partners to develop and sustain their nascent Air Forces.

Dave Profit is the Founder of mission of American Heroes In Action, a therapeutic adventures program that provides outdoor experiences to American heroes including combat wounded veterans, injured firefighters and injured members of law enforcement. Dave was inspired to create this organization after observing soldiers mailing home their Purple Heart medals while he was working in Iraq. Today, American Heroes In Action has enabled 431 participants across 125 adventures to experience the healing power of nature.

Billy Jack Barrett and his wife Anne Barrett helped found the non-profit The Remount Foundation, an equine therapy program that helps veterans struggling with PTSD. Billy Jack Barrett, a legend in the equine industry, and former Manager for 35 years at the USAF Academy Stables. Anne Barrett is a World Champion Dressage Rider, trainer and educator who attended and ran Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center.

Keith Hairston, a Navy Veteran, talks about his struggles with addiction, recovery, and resiliency. From the Beirut bombing of 1983, to the death of his own daughter, Keith walks us through how he overcame situations that most could not even fathom.

Adam Armstrong, a Veterans Service Officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs, talks about overcoming addiction, his faith and finding community.