I need your help in spreading the word to anyone you know that might have contact with an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran / service member with invisible or visible injuries related to their years in service. We are offering an exciting opportunity between February & April at Mane Stream Inc (manestreaminc.org) in Oldwick, NJ, for Military Veterans serving since 2001. That said, we are hoping to expand our Veteran services to include all veterans in the near future & would like to start building a list of interested individuals at the same time – so anyone can contact us who is interested in participating.
The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has provided Mane Stream with funding for “Take the Reins” – a program for WWP qualified veterans / service members. Ruth Nortje, Mane Stream’s Physical Therapist, former Olympic athlete & PATH Intl. Registered Adaptive Riding Instructor will oversee the program with the support of a mental health professional. There will be 10 weekly sessions at Mane Stream to reduce stress, combat isolation & depression, build communication, understanding & relationship based on respect & trust through interacting with horses & fellow participants & through learning new skills such as horse grooming, tacking, handling & horseback riding. Riding sessions will utilize the movement of the horse to provide rehabilitation for injuries sustained, with the goal of improving balance, coordination, mobility, flexibility, strength & endurance; all whilst adding quality of life & enjoyment. Any facility volunteers participating in this program will be Veterans themselves.
Sessions will be designed around the specific requirements of each participant so the final program will be designed once all needs are known.
The Wounded Warrior Project website is www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ with a link at the bottom right to register or see who will qualify. “Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001. As part of the verification process, we ask that you please submit a copy of either your (or, if a caregiver/family member, your warrior’s) DD 214 Service 2 or Member 4, VA Rating Decision Letter, Line of Duty (LOD) Documentation, MEB/PEB Narrative Summary, ERB or ORB document, or WTU orders. There are other options for submission as well” There are no dues for registering with the WWP.
Please find attached 2 flyers for this program and circulate them to your contacts with the above information.
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Thank you so very much for your assistance!
Here is one more link to a recent article in the Hunterdon County Democrat website: Olympian to lead equine assisted therapy for veterans.
If the hyperlink does not work, here is the full link to copy and paste:
Sincerely;
Ruth Nortje.