IMPACT
in the Southern Hills
Your Generosity in Action
Thanks to your support, United Way of the Black Hills is proud to share real stories — told in the words of our partners — that show how your generosity is making a difference every day.
SunCatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy INC
I had the honor to be one of the volunteers during our Hot Springs VA Recreational Rehab mental health sessions, and I will share with you our first day.
We begin with 6 veterans, 3 of their therapists, and 3 of our staff/volunteers (2 were also veterans). We had selected 6 of our horses for this first-time encounter, hoping that each veteran would be able to bond and connect with at least one of them.
The session began with the horses within a small enclosure, nibbling grass and each other, and just being horses. The trained instructor began pointing out the different body language each horse was displaying, from the position of their body to their ears, to how different lip and mouth movements show different levels of relaxation or alertness.
She discussed how horses, like soldiers, are prey animals — always on the alert for danger, and relying on each other to keep the herd safe. She walked through how to approach a horse, basic safety, how to relax our breathing and our minds so the horse senses that we are not a predator.
We then all entered that pen with the veterans, and allowed them the time to stand and observe, before walking up to a horse of their choice, and asking via body language to “meet”.
The following incredible things happened:
1. Each horse was curious and open to the one who approached them.
2. Each veteran unknowingly chose a horse that was similar in personality as them! The flashy fella with the fancy pants pockets, sleeve tattoos, and multiple piercings — chose Dutch, our beautiful and flashy palomino with long mane and tail that has given him the nicknames of Fabio and Beach Boy. And both horse and veteran struggled with staying on task!
Another example was an older veteran, struggling with his pride and some anger, who was drawn to Cash, an Arabian/Morgan who is the pushy one of the herd, and definitely “acts out” when he is frustrated. (As they came back each week, this veteran and Cash challenged and connected with each other in a seriously cool way — leading the veteran to start talking about how he saw himself reflected in Cash’s behaviors, because they both just wanted to belong).
3. One of the veterans was very obviously early in her sobriety journey and was withdrawn and disheveled that first day. She was drawn to a new little mare TaDah, who had been a broodmare for 17 years before joining our herd. TaDah truly has a sweet and motherly heart and is one of the most loving horses I have ever been around.
When this veteran approached her, and cautiously placed her hand upon TaDah’s neck, TaDah reached her head around and held this veteran so tenderly, and she began to weep, cradled there in the neck nook by this mama horse. We saw them bond immediately, and each week that veteran came back stronger and more confident as she worked with “her” horse.
Thanks to generous donors like you, United Way of the Black Hills is able to make stories like this possible!