We can help military riders recover from a range of physical and mental health issues

I started volunteering with the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) last spring as a way to use my horse background and experience to help in the community with underprivileged youth as well as physically and mentally handicapped youth and adults. They are a wonderful group who run a spectacular program with amazingly patient horses and staff. After joining I realized they also provide a program for military members who are recovering from mental or physical challenges which was amazing to an Air Force brat like myself! I hope you will consider donating to this amazing organization to allow them to continue the benefits to those who have served our country at no cost to the riders -Thea

Join me in supporting real change. Let's support good in the world and make a difference. Help us provide horseback riding lessons and improve the quality of life for recovering military personnel at the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program.

The Riders

The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) has a long history of partnering with military-based organizations to provide therapeutic riding services to recovering military service personnel. Currently, NVTRP serves military riders who come to the program on their own or through a partnership with Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

The riders are working to recover from a range of physical and mental health issues, including injuries, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injuries. Riding at NVTRP helps them heal in many ways—by rebuilding muscle strength, developing healthy coping and relationship skills, and increasing self-confidence. Repeatedly, military riders talk about the sense of peacefulness they experience at the farm, and the importance of that respite to their healing.

The Impact

One of the recreational therapists from FBCH's Residential Treatment Center sees tremendous benefits to her patients from working with the horses. "We're trying so hard to help them find a way to connect with anything positive, something that gives them a healthy relief from their depression and anxiety. At NVTRP they find a real connection with the horses, and for a lot of them, it's the first they've connected emotionally with anything in a long time . . . they feel peaceful at the farm. Patients are usually extremely nervous to go off post on a recreational outing, since that increases their sense of vulnerability . . . but they can't get enough riding, they keep asking to do it more often."

The Wounded Warrior Project partners with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) to fund therapeutic riding for eligible members. In 2014, the Wounded Warrior Project surveyed participants in their therapeutic riding program. Ninety two of the 119 participants responded; of those, 84% agreed that therapeutic riding helped them to develop a greater sense of self-esteem and overall self-confidence. Eighty-eight percent stated that they will seek other sport or recreational opportunities in the community as a result of their riding.

How You Can Help

NVTRP covers 100% of the cost of lessons for our military riders. And that's where you come in.

We need to raise additional funds in order to continue the military program at its current level. Can you help me reach my fundraising goal? Just a small donation will go a long way. Together, we can help more military riders recover from physical and mental health issues, and you'll help your friends feel good about doing good.

As a team, our goal is to raise $5,000 by Veteran's Day, November 11, 2016. Please help us improve the quality of life for recovering military men and women who have served our country.