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Equine Assisted Therapy Program for Veterans opens at CampV in Tyler

CampV, a 20 acre veterans resource center in Tyler is under construction, but one of their programs is already up and running. We break down THAAT Ranch, an equine assisted therapy program that is the first of it's kind in the area.

TYLER, Texas —

If you know a veteran, or you are a veteran, this is for you. 

CampV, a 20 acre veterans resource center in Tyler is under construction, but one of their programs is already up and running. 

RELATED: 20-acre camp to provide 'one-stop shop' for East Texas veterans

THAAT Ranch takes up four acres of CampV. 

Credit: kytx
THAAT Ranch animals

"We've been here for about one month now and we're still cleaning up the property, and getting it to where it's more usable for what we do and for our animals,” Adrain Hurst, the director of equine services at THAAT Ranch said. 

The ranch wants to eventually expand to eight acres in total to fit all its animals. 

There are currently eight animals that stay at the ranch, three ponies, three horses, a llama and alpaca. 

The ranch is home to an equine therapy assisted program. Veterans can spend time with the horses or other animals, while undergoing therapy. 

"The most mundane thing for me which is brushing the horses is actually the most exhilarating thing for them," Hurst said. 

The therapy helps in a number of ways, whether that's physical, occupational, or emotional. 

"Every now and then a veteran will walk off with one of the horses and have a conversation that the horse doesn't have to tell anything about," Hurst said. 

"I don't think people have realized how important it's going to be that the horses are there," Janice McDaniel, Therapeutic riding instructor for THAAT Ranch said. 

Veterans can also ride the horses along side therapeutic riding instructor Janice McDaniel. It's the first and only equine assisted growth program paired with therapeutic riding for Veterans in Tyler. 

Credit: kytx
Therapeutic Riding at THAAT Ranch

"There may be some sensory issues that need to be addressed and so while they're riding, therapy is taking place. The horse actually provides the therapy," McDaniel said. 

So far, the Ranch hosted Wounded Warriors in April. The program is currently only available by appointment. 

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