STRICKLAND HELPING SOUTH SOUND MILITARY & VETERANS

Graphic of the county

SECURED FUNDING FOR THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING PTSD

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) secured federal grant funding for the Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center in Yelm. This therapy center provides support and treatment for active duty and veterans experiencing PTSD.  

Training, grooming, and riding horses can help people heal from trauma. Horses can sense anxiety, and this helps our heroes regulate their PTSD symptoms. 

“Therapeutic horsemanship has proven to be effective in improving the lives of veterans and active-duty military personnel,” said Strickland. “I thank the Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center for providing much-needed support to those who have and continue to sacrifice so much for our nation.” 

“The funding that Representative Strickland secured for Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center will help our non-profit organization provide therapeutic horsemanship services to approximately 170 veterans and active-duty personnel suffering from PTSD in the 10th Congressional District in 2023,” said Bob Woelk, Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center Executive Director. “Horses can detect anxiety in humans to a high degree and provide our participants with continuous bio-feedback on participant anxiety levels. This helps participants re-learn how to self-manage their anxiety levels, successfully reintegrate into their communities, and is a significant solution to the veteran suicide problem facing our country.” 

This Community Project Funding grant will provide therapeutic horsemanship to retired veterans and active-duty military personnel suffering from PTSD, anxiety, chronic depression and other injuries like insomnia and Traumatic Brain Injury.  

The funding will be used for operational costs. The program does not charge any fees to participants and relies on donations from the surrounding community. This award is one of 14 FY23 Community Project Funding (CPF) grants Congresswoman Strickland secured. Read more about these here: https://strickland.house.gov/media/press-releases/strickland-secures-19-million-south-sound  

To learn more about Hope for Heroes, visit their website: www.hope4heroesconsulting.org

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