PURPOSE: To determine an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran's experience following participation in a therapeutic horseback riding program. METHODS: Following the establishment of a nationwide therapeutic riding program for America's wounded service veterans in 2007, a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse from the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center worked with an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran who participated in the Horses for Heroes program. RESULTS: This program resulted in many benefits for the veteran, including an increase in balance, muscle strength, and self-esteem. DISCUSSION: A physical, psychological, and psychosocial benefit of therapeutic horseback riding is shown to have positive results for the spinal cord injured. Therapeutic riding is an emerging field where the horse is used as a tool for physical therapy, emotional growth, and learning. CONCLUSION: Veterans returning from the Iraq/Afghanistan war with traumatic brain injuries, blast injuries, depression, traumatic amputations, and spinal cord injuries may benefit from this nurse-assisted therapy involving the horse.
PURPOSE: To determine an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran's experience following participation in a therapeutic horseback riding program. METHODS: Following the establishment of a nationwide therapeutic riding program for America's wounded service veterans in 2007, a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse from the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center worked with an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran who participated in the Horses for Heroes program. RESULTS: This program resulted in many benefits for the veteran, including an increase in balance, muscle strength, and self-esteem. DISCUSSION: A physical, psychological, and psychosocial benefit of therapeutic horseback riding is shown to have positive results for the spinal cord injured. Therapeutic riding is an emerging field where the horse is used as a tool for physical therapy, emotional growth, and learning. CONCLUSION: Veterans returning from the Iraq/Afghanistan war with traumatic brain injuries, blast injuries, depression, traumatic amputations, and spinal cord injuries may benefit from this nurse-assisted therapy involving the horse.
Authors: Rebecca A Johnson; David L Albright; James R Marzolf; Jessica L Bibbo; Hayley D Yaglom; Sandra M Crowder; Gretchen K Carlisle; Amy Willard; Cynthia L Russell; Karen Grindler; Steven Osterlind; Marita Wassman; Nathan Harms Journal: Mil Med Res Date: 2018-01-19
Authors: Gabriele Schwarzmüller-Erber; Harald Stummer; Manfred Maier; Michael Kundi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-10 Impact factor: 3.390