2009-11-05

Vet donation helps ‘wounded warriors’ with therapeutic riding

Contributed

Thanks to a $15,000 donation secured by a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, wounded warriors with the Warrior Transition Battalion at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio are benefiting from equine-assisted therapy at Triple H Equitherapy Center in Pipe Creek.

Jeff Harris of Kerrville contacted his friend and Purple Heart member, William Hutton in Los Angeles, about the therapeutic riding opportunities at Triple H. Hutton sought financial help from another longtime friend, Robert Irmas, who represents the Audrey & Sydney Irmas Charitable Foundation, which is also located in Los Angeles.

Irmas said the foundation is honored to be part of Triple H’s Horses for Heroes program. “Providing support for our wounded service members is a high priority for us and we take this obligation very seriously,” he added.

Troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan who have participated in therapeutic riding at Triple H over during the past 18 months include Staff Sgt. Chris Edwards, Sgt. Omar Avila and Cpl. Javier Rivera. All three suffered extensive burns and other injuries when Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) detonated under their military vehicles. The men continue to receive treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

However, like the true heroes they are, these soldiers are more concerned about how their injuries have affected their families than the impact the disabilities have on their own lives. They continue to be upbeat as they work to recover a sense of normalcy. They are proud to have served their country.

Avila, who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, said that the therapeutic riding exercises have enabled him to walk longer distances. “It’s another way of doing therapy that doesn’t feel like therapy,” he quipped.

Rivera called equine-assisted therapy “a great way” to take his mind off of what has happened. Recalling fond memories of horseback riding while growing up in Puerto Rico, he said, “I really look forward to coming out to ride.”

Edwards noted he could feel stretch in his scar bands almost immediately. He said he was excited about getting more disabled veterans interested in therapeutic riding.

Located about 20 miles northwest of San Antonio near Pipe Creek, the riding center provides therapy for children and youth with special needs, adults recovering from injuries and most recently wounded warriors.

Triple H Equitherapy Center is the only nonprofit center in the San Antonio area to be fully accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). It is one of only about 200 NARHA designated premier therapeutic riding centers in the country.

To make a donation to the Triple H Equitherapy Center or to inquire about the Horses for Heroes program, contact Executive Director Richard Dosher at 830-510-9515 or email hhhdream@aol.com. For more information, visit www.tripleHequitherapy.org.