The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation board members recently visited the Saratoga WarHorse Foundation in Saratoga NY.
Saratoga WarHorse creates a win-win situation for Veterans and off-the-track Thoroughbreds by providing an effective alternative method for healing emotional wounds and offering the horses rewarding and meaningful work after their racing careers have ended. Saratoga WarHorse provides a new experience with a focus on Post-Traumatic Stress that is a vastly different approach from traditional talk therapy. This program is provided at no cost to Veterans.
As SMLF grows and changes we are collectively seeking more first-hand knowledge of what is involved in the day-to-day of potential organizations.
Saratoga War Horse happens to fall into two categories of our mission statement making it of interest. After meeting with Allison Cherkosly, CEO, we learned the importance of healing the Veteran is just as vital as healing the thoroughbred horse. This is a unique 3-day course in undoing the trigger that sends individuals into the flight or fight mode in their brain.
The veterans in this workshop have 3 days of intensive work on learning to trust themselves as well as place their trust in a 900- to 1200-pound animal. This is all paid for by donations, so absolutely no cost to the veteran. The interaction is based on rewiring the brain ( turning off the switch ) to react to triggers in a more natural way and have control over what they are feeling. Every soldier gets a different horse and Saratoga WarHorse doesn’t use the same horses over and over. It is important for both participants to be new to this practice for the positive results they achieve. “ By using a round pen and creating a profound bond that goes beyond verbal communication, between the horse and the veteran. We find success 90% of the time.”
We have dedicated funds to help out this next year as a board we are looking for organizations where we feel we can make a difference.
If anyone is more interested in Saratoga Warhorse you can connect with them directly through their website saratogawarhorse.org.