Equine group asks state to pony up to help veterans

An equine program designed to help veterans suffering from PTSD is seeking government funding through a proposal sponsored by Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-Edina).

HF1563 would provide a $40,000 grant, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, over the next biennium to Forest Lake-based Equine Innovations as it tries to get its equine therapy program for veterans up and running.

The House State Government Finance Committee laid it over Wednesday for possible omnibus bill inclusion. Its companion, SF1909, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids), awaits action by the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee.

Rep. Paul Rosenthal

“This bill is just about helping veterans get integrated back into society,” Rosenthal said.

Equine Innovations founder Jenny Berhow said her organization works with people with special needs, their families and care providers by offering therapeutic riding and workshops. Although they currently work with veterans, Berhow said she hopes to use the state-funded grant to provide a veteran-centric program.

“Throughout their experience in the program, (they) keep coming back… to integrate back into society and to create connections with their families again,” she said. “Work with horses does this just beautifully.”

Horses, Berhow said, “kind of sync people up.”

Through equine therapy, humans with traumatic symptoms are able to recreate mental stability because their brain chemistry changes, Berhow said, citing scientific studies.

Equine Innovations has nine horses and currently hosts between 86 and 105 sessions per year, with three to six individuals per session. The grant would increase the number of group sessions to between 258 and 516 in the next year and cover an estimated $7,057 per year for operational costs and $12,943 per year for personnel costs.

Berhow said unlike other equine therapy groups, she hasn’t sought private funding or outside grants but thought turning to the state would be a good starting point.

“I think Minnesota is just a fabulous state and does a good job supporting its veterans,” she said.

Although the department hasn’t looked into specific equine therapy for veterans, a representative said it is supportive of programs that help veterans suffering from trauma.