Veteran Ashley Confer found traditional therapy ineffective for her physical and mental struggles, leading her to discover equine therapy at Rising Hope. Equine therapy offers a different approach that helps Confer focus on her surroundings and shut down other distractions in her brain, allowing her to work through her problems in a unique way.

Confer believes that traditional talk therapy can be challenging for veterans, as it requires clear communication of thoughts and feelings. Equine therapy at Rising Hope has helped her learn to ask for help when needed, both physically and emotionally, by forcing her out of her comfort zone and providing a different way to build physical strength.

Through horse riding at Rising Hope, Confer has found a new way to work through her battles and gain strength in muscles that traditional physical therapy exercises couldn’t activate. The program has helped her communicate her needs, overcome hurdles, and focus on the present moment, providing a valuable alternative to traditional therapy for veterans like her.