After an extreme weather incident on Mt. Yonah on August 8, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries for three Army Ranger candidates, an organization has provided a unique form of trauma healing.
The Equine Immersion Project is a unique form of animal-assisted therapy that provides support services to military members and their families. They will be in Georgia from August 31 to September 4, providing services to Rangers.
Tara Mahoney, a trauma counselor and CEO of EIP, said horses work with the military population because they are used to being active by nature.
Kelly MacCorquodale, an Equine Specialist with EIP and a mother of a Medal of Honor recipient, first noticed how horses could help heal others after they helped her son heal after he suffered injuries.
“I saw how our horses and animals helped calm and heal the numerous soldiers that came to visit Ryan,” MacCorquodale said
Paul Martinez, an Equine Specialist with EIP and veteran that had been deployed in Afghanistan six times, said this is a great opportunity to show soldiers that they are not alone. Many soldiers turn to substance abuse or other risk-taking behavior due to things they deal with while on active duty.
“You don't have to suck it up all the time, we have ways for you to find healing and start your steps on that path, in the right way,” Martinez said.
Ryan Casavant, the Chief Operating Officer at EIP and Marine Corps veteran also experienced first-hand the healing power of spending time with horses.
“You know, when you leave after spending time with the horses, that something has changed, that's always for the better,” Casavant said.
EIP programming is provided free of charge to all service members and their supporters. They are constantly looking for supporters to help fund their programs.
“We want to come back and support them. There's Rangers all over the country, whether they're active or veterans that might just, you know, need some time with a horse because it's too hard to talk to a counselor or to their spouse or their grandchildren,” Mahoney said.
For more information on how to help, you can visit their website equineimmersioproject.com.
