LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Equine therapy is well known for its mental health benefits. As it turns out, harnessing the gentle power of horses goes a long way for both veterans and the animals themselves.
At Hearts Alive Village (HAV) Horse Rescue, the horses have come in as owner surrenders or rescues. It is a special place with a special goal.
“Once they warm up to you and you realize they have their own personalities, it’s hard not to fall in love with them,” Orlando Cota, a veteran of the Marine Corps who did three tours overseas, said. He comes to HAV for comfort and to serve.
“It challenged me to be present and to be a bit more assertive around them because they need our help,” he said.
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These animals need extra care and extra love. That is something the veterans identify with.
“He was going through depression like anybody else and I know what that’s like,” said Cota, speaking about the horse Jerry. He found his pal after Jerry had lost his longtime companion Ben.