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Military veterans and first responders begin their process of connecting with and leading a 1,200-pound horse. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)
Wounded Warriors Weekend

Bonds with horses helping heal Wounded Warriors

Aug 7, 2019 | 2:11 PM

Empower U Equine has hosted multiple groups of adults and children throughout its near two-year tenure outside of Nipawin, but never a group of military veterans and first responders.

Shannon Dickey, Jackie James, and Barbie Harder – all co-founders and facilitators for the assisted learning program that develops life skills though personal interactions with horses – reached out to Wounded Warriors Weekend (WWW). They felt their program would help the injured and ill Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and first responders.

The trio of facilitators brought horses to Camp Independence – the cottage near Tobin Lake that has hosted two groups of veterans for three weeks – to give the Wounded Warriors a preview of what was to expect when they would arrive to Empower U Equine’s arena for the real deal.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the warriors arrived and what transpired even surprised the experienced facilitators.

“Our program is the same for whoever is taking part in it,” Dickey told northeastNOW. “What we quickly realized is the horses were able to help them in a capacity that maybe they haven’t been helped with before because they were able to be comfortable amongst themselves and they understood the horses are non-judgemental. They don’t care about what their story is. Once they were able to become more self-aware of themselves with the horse and their group, they really started to see crazy things happen that I believe was inspiring for them, and for us.”

The warriors broke off into groups and they communicated with and led the 1,200-pound animals.

Wayne Johnston is a former repatriation officer, the original founder of Wounded Warriors Canada, and a 41-year veteran in the Canadian Army who has attended every WWW. His experience with the horses at Empower U Equine was unique compared to other forms of therapy he and his fellow warriors have been through.

Wayne Johnston (left) leading a horse through Empower U Equine’s arena. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

“I was impressed with is the magnificence and understanding of them,” Johnston said. “You don’t have to pull them and drag them, you finesse them. They’re smart, soulful, and their souls heal the souls of the injured. I’ve never really trotted around with a horse, but I felt really comfortable within a couple of minutes. Apparently, the horse I had (Goose) was the most difficult customer of them all, and I was really blessed to have two other fellows to be part of the team.

“I think the therapy of the horses… they’re quite gentle creatures. I think their kindness and gentleness rubs off on you and makes you a better person.”

There were some growing pains such as horses giving warriors a playful nibble, defecating when it was time to walk, and taking a few minutes to trust their leaders.

Roger Clerice, a 17-year veteran with the British Army who is spending time in Suffield, Alta. to train soldiers, admitted he feared horses initially due to the risk of being bitten or kicked.

Instead, his confidence grew the longer he spent with his group and his horse.

Empower U Equine co-founder and facilitator Shannon Dickey (right) gives brief advice and instructions to Roger Clerice (centre) on how to get a horse to trust him. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

“If you approach it the right way and allow the horse to accept you, it’s quite wonderful,” Clerice said. “You have to show it to others in life. Be kind, humble, show love, and always respect each other, no matter what you’re going through. You don’t know the background the animal or anyone is going through, so you have to respect each other and accept them for who they are. If you could help them move on from whatever they’re suffering from in one way or another – a hand over the shoulder or a hug saying it will be OK – it goes a long way.”

The Empower U Equine facilitators brought the warriors upstairs in a classroom/living room setting to talk about their experiences with the horses and choose a word to describe their feelings.

After an emotional debrief, Clerice said the life skill of letting emotions out is important for his, and everyone’s healing journey.

“Being a soldier, you have to show some from of toughness and be strong,” he said. “But sometimes deep down we suffer from different emotions, and this was a good experience allowing everyone to speak freely, let emotions out, and not having anyone judge you or see you in a different way because you shed some tears and show a bit of emotion.

“Some people might say it’s a weakness, but we felt like it was a way of showing strength and moving forward in our wounded ways.”

The warriors’ growth with the horses have also impacted the facilitators at Empower U Equine in terms of the emotion shown and the effect their program can have.

“This is definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Dickey said. “When they come upstairs and talk about their experiences in the arena, there’s a common theme amongst them all that they feel a lightness and connection to the horse that they didn’t expect to have. It’s reassuring to know this program impacts as many people as it can, and it impacts us as well.”

Dickey said she and Harder and James will continue discussions with Blake Emmons, WWW’s founder and director, to see how they can expand their partnership and other ways their services can help veterans and first responders.

In the meantime, Dickey encourages other businesses, groups, and residents to reach out and see how they can assist with WWW.

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow

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