We see it publicized all over the country: “veterans are America’s heroes.” But when push comes to shove, are we really treating them that way? 

This was the thought-provoking question that led to the creation of Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans (CERV) program. 

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) illustrate the need for mental health treatment for returning veterans in stark terms. According to the latest report, fewer than 50% of veterans receive mental healthcare after serving on active duty, and approximately 17 veterans die of suicide every day. 

“In my experience, very rarely will a veteran struggling with mental illness admit that they need help,” says Andrea Rego, coordinator of CERV. “It’s our obligation to show them that they have the support of their community, and the way that MTSU Horse Science has chosen to do that is through equine-assisted therapy.”

The program was created in 2013 in partnership with the local VA’s Veterans Recovery Center (VRC) of Murfreesboro to support veterans struggling with severe mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Veterans who participate in the 10-week program are paired with an equine partner and taught basic horsemanship skills such as grooming, lunging, and riding. 

“Our program is a fun and recreational setting for therapy,” says Rego. “Veterans have the chance to bond with a horse while being mentored by a student from our Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies class.”

Sarah Howard, recreational therapist at the VRC, says that for her patients, learning to interact with a 1,200 lb. animal has many therapeutic benefits that cannot be received through talk therapy alone. Because of the sensitivity and responsiveness of horses, they function as biofeedback machines, mirroring the attitudes of those around them. 

“Interacting with horses allows veterans to process their emotional and physiological states,” says Howard. “When the veterans are anxious, the horse is, too. If they’re angry, the horse knows. When they’re not paying attention, the horse is going to do whatever it wants to do. Our veterans have to learn to control these emotions, which improves their communication skills with the rest of society.”

The CERV program has reached over 100 veterans to date, and as that number continues to grow, so does the need for more space. When the donation of a new round pen was proposed, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), Rutherford Farmers Cooperative, Rutherford County Farm Bureau, and Rutherford County Young Farmers & Ranchers were willing and eager to support the cause. 

“When I first heard the proposal, I knew this was something worth getting involved in,” says TFC’s Ag Equipment Manager Trey Smith. “Throughout our Co-op system, we’re thankful for our veterans and want them to feel supported throughout their recovery process — not just by their local VA office, but by their entire community.”

The four organizations each contributed $400 to the purchase of a 40-foot round pen with a 4-foot alley gate from Faithway Alliance, which was then donated to MTSU for the accommodation of more veterans in the CERV program. The round pen is located inside the Horse Science Center arena and provides a safe, contained space for equine-assisted therapy away from the elements. 

“This donation really went hand-in-hand with Farm Bureau’s commitment to promoting agriculture and serving those in our community,” says Adam Tipton, agency manager at Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee. “It was just a natural situation for us to get involved in, and we’re thankful for the opportunity.”

Rego says that as the program grows, she looks forward to incorporating the new round pen into upcoming CERV semesters. 

“Many veterans reach their ‘lightbulb moment’ when working with their horses in the round pen,” says Rego. “They learn that they’re able to make the horse move and change direction based on body language. It’s a huge confidence builder and is not so much about control, but rather communication.”

Howard agrees.

“Groundwork in a round pen is one of the most important activities that we do in this program,” says Howard. “Many of our veterans feel no sense of connection to anyone or anything, but when they finish their session in the round pen and the horse begins to freely follow them around, they are able to experience a connection with something.”

There are many ways to support the CERV program, including through donations and volunteering at the annual CERV Spring Spectacular Horse Show, which raises money for the program. To learn more, please contact Andrea Rego at Andrea.Rego@mtsu.edu.