The Lava Lake Injured Veterans Equine (“LIVE”) Program provides injured veterans the opportunity to use and progress the skills learned “back home” - but in a near-wilderness environment.
Since 2012 the LIVE Program has offered injured veterans a rare opportunity to experience the benefits of equine therapy in a wilderness setting. Accompanied by their Veterans Administration therapists, veterans travel to Lava Lake Ranch where they ride horses and camp on a working ranch and in the backcountry for six days. In the past five years the program has served women and men living with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, military sexual trauma and other physical and psychological challenges. Past participants have served the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, and Vietnam.
The LIVE program was developed in consultation with recreational therapists from the Veterans Administration offices in Palo Alto,California and Boise, Idaho. Participants must complete an equine therapy program to acquire basic horsemanship skills prior to coming to the Ranch. Where appropriate and indicated therapeutically, a spouse or other family member may accompany a veteran.
The LIVE program has these goals:
build confidence and self-esteem
increase problem-solving skills
reduce anxiety
improve overall health and physical capabilities from regular exercise
enhance flexibility in dealing with unanticipated developments and setbacks
improve socialization skills
exercise cognitive skills in trip planning, including equipment and clothing requirements and travel logistics
remove injured veterans from their day-to-day milieu and place them in a completely different environment where they can benefit from the healing power of nature
have fun!
Response to the Program by the veterans who participate is overwhelmingly positive. The VA therapists note measurable improvements in the veterans’ Self-Empowerment and Trust (“SET”) scores after completing LIVE Program sessions. In 2015, we welcomed back two veterans who participated in 2014 and were working toward certification as Therapeutic Riding Instructors. This is a testament to these vets’ determination to better their own lives and to give back to others. We believe participation in the LIVE Program played a role in the development of the life skills necessary to fulfill their dreams.
