Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Equine Recovery for Veterans (CERV), developed in partnership with the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, offers a unique therapeutic program that combines mental health support with hands-on horse care to aid veterans coping with trauma and PTSD. Since 2014, CERV has helped 195 veterans by pairing them with horses and student mentors in a structured 10-week course focused on building trust, emotional regulation, and communication skills through activities like grooming and leading horses. The program creates a judgment-free environment where veterans can find calm, develop coping strategies, and rediscover joy.

MTSU students also benefit academically by participating as mentors, gaining experience in equine-assisted therapy. The program’s effectiveness is highlighted by real-time examples, such as using horses to help veterans manage anxiety triggered by a tornado siren. Veterans like Marine Corps veteran Emily Jensen and Navy veteran Margaret Kelley have found the program instrumental in grounding themselves and improving emotional awareness. The semester culminates in a public horse show where veterans demonstrate their skills, symbolizing their progress and healing journey.