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

To kick off our VA series we sit down with Steve Bundy, an Army Veteran and current Peer Support Specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. From surviving disastrous airborne jumps, to saving himself and his family from homelessness, Steve shares an abundance of wisdom and resources we can all learn from.

Our mission here on The Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you're not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

RESOURCES:

https://www.veteranscenter.org/

https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

Watch on YouTube HERE

You're not alone.

Daily tasks and routines that many take for granted can be challenging and complex for a Veteran or first responder with PTSD or a traumatic brain injury, an individual with limited mobility, or a young person with autism. Picking up a dropped phone, moving around in a busy public space, or withstanding a stressful environment can feel overwhelming if you don’t have the necessary resources to navigate the situation. At Freedom Service Dogs, they purpose-breed and custom train dogs that empower individuals with disabilities to live lives filled with possibility. In this episode, we hear from Chris and Ashleigh who both share their military story, while also showing us behind the scenes of owning a service dog.

RESOURCES:

https://freedomservicedogs.org/

https://www.veteranscenter.org/

Our mission here on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you're not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

Today, it feels like we are being pulled in every direction making it difficult to push ourselves in the one direction we actually want to go. In this episode, Dr. Eric Abbott talks about focusing on our mental health needs in order to increase overall performance and focus. We also discuss loneliness and its long-lasting effects on the body. Dr. Abbot, who is a 25-year air force veteran and current Optum provider, understands firsthand how difficult mental health struggles can be. The Veterans Voice Podcast provides our community with resources, as well as actionable and authentic information regarding Veteran mental health. In keeping with that theme, we are partnered with Optum and Mountain View Medical Group. Through this partnership, we will discuss topics such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other invisible scars that often comes with a career in the military, with Optum providers to help shed light on the issues while gaining some valuable insight from doctors who understand these struggles on a deeper, more physiological level. These episodes will lead our health and wellness series here on The Veterans Voice.

RESOURCES:

https://www.veteranscenter.org/

https://www.optum.com/en/

Alcohol is rooted deep in military culture, but today, we are discussing protocols for when this cultural norm spirals into an unmanageable addiction. Tim Murphy battled addiction from teenage years into late adulthood but has since embarked on a journey of healing and self-recovery while overcoming the unique challenges and obstacles associated with alcohol addiction. Today, he is a recognized expert on addiction recovery and has developed a proven and successful program to help others obtain sobriety in whatever addictions they have.

Our mission here on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you're not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

Our mission here on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you're not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

RESOURCES:

https://www.veteranscenter.org/

kbelaire@mtcarmelcenter.org

This week on the show, I’m bringing on my good friend Sir Gregory Coots. Greg is a Priest, life coach, independent film producer, and former military officer. This episode is chock full of motivation, self-help tips and tricks, and as always, good old-fashioned smokin’ and jokin’. The overarching theme of this conversation is not to be taken lightly however, as we dive deep into the importance of being a logical and independent thinker in today's society.

Our mission here on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you're not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

RESOURCES:

1) Colorado Veterans Breakfast: First Saturday of the month at 8am HERE

2) A short film by Veterans on transitioning out of the military WATCH ON YOUTUBE HERE

On November 1st the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center is hosting the 17th annual Veterans Conference. Presented by Huntington Bank and Co-sponsored by the Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center and the Colorado Minority Business Office, this will be a one stop shop for any Veteran pursuing entrepreneurship. We hope to see you there!

RESOURCES:

https://pikespeaksbdc.org/

https://www.veteranscenter.org/