AT&T, an international corporation providing Internet connection, mobile phone service and pay TV world wide, affirmed their support for veterans and active-duty military by announcing a $30,000 donation to Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors and the Back in the Saddle Warriors program at Healing Hearts Ranch, Nov. 10.

According to Marianne Bichsel, president and owner of Bichsel Public Affairs, the public affairs representative for AT&T, "AT&T honors all military veterans and is proud to support the Back in the Saddle program to help our wounded warriors heal."

Back in the Saddle Warriors is a clinical hippotherapy program. Hippotherapy uses horses to support the healing process. Equine movement is used for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language therapy to help heal a variety of injuries. The program uses a licensed physical or occupational therapist, a certified instructor with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. This evidence-based therapy improves spinal cord injuries, speech, PTSD, TBI, as well as other physical injuries.

By improving neurological functions, such as movement, cognition, organization, attention, balance and coordination, hippotherapy has been shown to promote healing from a variety of service-related injuries, including: spinal cord injuries, speech injuries, loss of limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury. It has also been proven effective in aiding recovery from such typically non-combat related conditions as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, and even cancer.

Located just outside of Olympia in the town of Tumwater, Healing Hearts Ranch exists to enhance "quality of life, relationships and community through the way of the horse." They seek to achieve this by offering a variety of Equine Assisted Learning activities including lessons, classes, team-building and outdoor exercises. Healing Hearts is also home to Heartstrides Therapeutic Riding, a private, nonprofit organization that exists to "integrate the principles of horsemanship and research-based learning during interactive experiences with horses, which will improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities."

One of Heartstrides Therapeutic Riding programs is Back in the Saddle Warrior which is tailored specifically to both the physical and psycho-social needs of wounded warriors. Once or twice a week, skilled therapists work with clients in 35 to 40-minute sessions that begin by giving riders the opportunity to groom and bond with the horse. This is followed by a guided 15-minute riding session in a covered arena.  

Many clients report that spending time with horses this way has yielded not only physical benefits but has also improved their interpersonal relationships, helping them to be more patient and empathetic in their dealings with others.

Back in the Saddle Warriors program is totally dependent on volunteers and donations from individuals and corporations such as AT&T. To find out more about donating or volunteering to this worthy cause, or to learn more about the Back in the Saddle Warriors program, contact Healing Hearts Ranch at 360.701.6001 or check out their website at www.healingheartsrancholy.com.