Texas therapeutic riding program helps disabled vets deal with trauma

From The Dallas Morning News:

Saddle up, soldier.

The horses of Stajduhar Stables in Colleyville have long been helping children bear the burdens of debilitating diseases. The animals' rhythmic gait can calm the nervous systems of kids with autism and strengthen the muscles of those with cerebral palsy.

Now the therapeutic riding stable is looking for injured or traumatized veterans to get on the horse – no charge. They call it "Horses for Heroes."

The stable has booked five soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder for its pilot class this spring, but it's still searching for at least one physically disabled veteran to participate. The success of the class will help determine whether the program gets grant money to continue into the future. DFW Case Management Society of America is funding the pilot class with a donation to the stable's nonprofit foundation.

"We can help them regain their strength, regain their balance," said Lisa Stajduhar, a physical therapist who owns the stable. "If they use a prosthetic, we can help them get up and start walking again."

Stajduhar is hopeful that the program will get grants and private donations to grow. She wants to hear from veterans with traumatic brain injuries, amputation, post-traumatic stress disorder or any other life-altering injury.

"If we don't have room, we'll wait-list them and get them in as quick as we can," she said. "They served us. We want to serve them."

Erik Stoeckle, an injured and retired Army major who rides at a stable in Georgetown, has some advice: "Do it. Don't even hesitate."

Seven years ago, Stoeckle was cleaning up a mechanic shop at Fort Irwin, Calif., when an overhead crane slammed a truck engine into his back, crushing his right side. He emerged from multiple surgeries as a depressed civilian, struggling to balance on a cane.

"I was very angry," said Stoeckle, 33. "There was a time when I didn't know if I was going to last very long in the civilian world."

When a stable in Georgetown – R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids – launched its Horses for Heroes program in 2008, Stoeckle pressed his doctor to let him sign up. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association certifies about three dozen programs across the country.

"Since I got injured, I've heard it quite a bit: 'You can't do this, you can't do that,' " he said. "I wanted to at least try to see if I could get on the horse."

He started out on Pokey, aptly named. Twenty-minute rides left Stoeckle feeling as if he'd just left the gym – abs burning, legs "like Jell-O."

"Those 20 minutes are 20 minutes I enjoy like no tomorrow," he said. "Not to mention the emotional benefits."

Stoeckle bonded as much with his horse as with his fellow riders, most of whom had survived combat able-bodied but traumatized. He remembers an Iraq war vet with post-traumatic stress disorder who came in "hostile and angry – and after four rides he'd almost completely changed."

A continuing Baylor University study has recently turned up data to support such success stories, indicating improved mental health and decreased depression among veterans in the Georgetown program.

Six months ago, Stoeckle graduated from Pokey to a long-legged thoroughbred. But he's seen his most dramatic improvements out of the saddle.

"It's kind of given me a sense of purpose again," he said. "People are amazed how much happier I am. And there's days when I'm walking – even though with a cane – it looks like I'm walking perfectly."