A Vet Enjoys Riding at R + R
Don't let the R+R fool you, this weekend was not about rest and relaxation. Our veterans retreat is action packed and physical! Ride for Joy hosted the much loved annual event known as "Ruck Up & Rebuild" (R+R) over Memorial Day weekend. This event serves the veterans community and honors their military service through a mix of free activities involving nature, equines and recreational pursuits.
Fish were caught, axes were thrown and horses were ridden! Retreat activities for participating veterans included Horsemanship 101, grooming, a trail ride, Chair Yoga & stretching, Fly Fishing, and Axe Throwing. Captain Dan Ashley, Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran (OIF-II), brought out the mobile vet unit and spoke to attendees about veterans benefits and services, including readjustment counseling for eligible veterans — and their families — and to get referrals to other services within Veterans Affairs and with local community partners.
Lunch was provided free of charge by Port of Subs ; in-kind donations were provided by Section 37 Axe Room, & VICE Outdoors (Fly Fishing Outfitter). Our sponsors for the event included ESI Cares Foundation and Mountain West Bank. Abi from BlueLid Photography donated her creative and beautiful photo services to document the weekend for veterans and their families.
HEAR FROM THE VETERANS
"After falling off a horse when I was (much) younger, I never really had the chance to be around horses.
What a fantastic opportunity, with Ride For Joy, to connect with such magnificent creatures. Not that I was really afraid of horses, but the step by step acclimation process from the awesome volunteers, really helped to ease any apprehension a person might have being around horses. Getting to actually ride the horse is just icing on the cake! Many thanks to the fly fishing volunteers! It's always calming being around water. But to actually catch fish, more icing on the cake! And what's not to like about throwing sharp things at wooden targets?!
Thank you again to the Ride For Joy staff and volunteers for a wonderful day! "
-Tim R.
Veteran
"My wife and I went to the Ride for Joy veterans retreat. We were warmly greeted by all participants. The morning was started off by a yoga stretching exercise, horse grooming, and guided riding lessons. There was a break for lunch and socializing.
The afternoon was spent learning to fly fish. The on-site pond is full of bass and bluegills, I managed to catch several bass and one bluegill. All fish were returned unharmed to the pond. I enjoyed learning to fly fish. Then it was on to axe throwing. Axe throwing sounds more dangerous that it is. Our time at the retreat was enjoyable and memorable.
I would recommend Ride for Joy to other veterans. I have signed up for the veterans riding program for the summer. I am looking forward to attending the classes."
-Michael F.
Veteran
"Leo had an AMAZING time. I haven’t seen him smile that much ever! I honestly thought he’d be done after a couple hours (at the most) and yet he lasted 5 hours because he was enjoying himself so much. You all treated him with such kindness and respect. I truly was so touched and soooo grateful to your wonderful program. What an incredible way to make Leo's Memorial Day one he will not forget ever. Thank you so very much to the staff at Ride for Joy!"
-Lisa
Legacy Corps Caregiver Support Staff
WANT TO SUPPORT RIDE FOR JOY VETS?
If you are interested in our veterans program, you can find more information here. Ride for Joy provides an Intro to Vets class and Advanced Riding classes to veterans 28 weeks throughout the year along with R+R. We charge $10 per lesson and offer scholarships on a needs based level so that cost is not a barrier to participants.
Horseback riding and equine assisted activities have been successful in helping veterans show marked improvements in the following areas:
Assertiveness
Emotional awareness
Empathy
Stress tolerance
Flexibility
Impulse control
Problem-solving skills
Self-actualization
Independence
Self-regard
Social responsibility
Interpersonal relationships
Post-traumatic stress
Traumatic Brain Injury
