LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
In December 2009, Deborah Demick went to a Christmas party and saw Terry "Tom" Steele sitting in a chair with his arm across his chest. Steele had a stroke three years ago that left his right hand paralyzed, making it hard for him to walk, grab objects or write.
As Demick offered a handshake, Steele offered his left hand, but Demick insisted on shaking his right hand. It was at that moment Demick knew she wanted to help him.
Demick and Sonja Reuter are the co-owners of the Horses Helping Heroes Project, a groundbreaking program providing therapy to persons with severe physical impairments, including military veterans. The primary means of therapy?
Horseback riding. Adults with physical impairments can benefit from riding, said Demick.
Riding requires balance and good posture. The motions involved in riding are very similar to the motion created in the human pelvis. Riding grounds the rider in his or her hips, and this connection between horse and rider is a fundamental element in building balance in riders with or without special needs.
Steele, a Suffolk resident, is the owner of TS Steele Group, Inc., a company specializing in military equipment manufacturing, including bags, hunting clothing and SCUBA diving gear. Steele said he started riding horses at the tender age of five years old. He stopped riding at age 11, and would not ride again for 41 years.
Steele said after he had a stroke, he did not think he would ever ride again.
Steele began by grooming horses alongside Lee Moore, an instructor from the North American Riding for Handicap Association who works for the non-profit. Steele started by brushing Buddy, one of the groups horses. May marked the first time Steele had been on a horse since his stroke in June 2007.
"I can feel muscles working again," he said. "I can walk better."
In just two months time, Steele experienced "phenomenal changes," said Demick. His attitude and confidence improved.
"I am just grateful there is a program like this," said Steele.
Therapy with the horses ranges from simply sitting atop the horse to walking, trotting and brushing the horse. According to the group, the muscle regions that benefit from the exercises are the back, buttocks, legs, ankles, knees and hips.
Instructors working on balance and posture with a student may also use exercises such as grabbing rings while riding, riding with arms stretched out, riding with the eyes closed and riding backward.
The unpredictable nature of situations involving animals creates a real-life environment in which students will be able to confront fears and make adjustments to situations beyond their control. Riding requires attention, reasoning skills and memory. Individuals with emotion and psychological disabilities all benefit from the therapy.
The revolutionary program will begin in September at Reuter's Merry Oaks Stables in Windsor, Va. The program consists of eight visits, twice weekly for a month.
"We are blessed that we can give our time, our talented horses and our volunteers," said Demick.
Editor's note: For more information, visit www.horseshelpingheroesproject.com.