Rescue Horses Heal Invisible War Wounds in Veterans
In the rolling pastures of suburban New Jersey, a unique partnership between rescue horses and military veterans is transforming lives through an innovative mental health approach. Hope in Her Eyes, a local nonprofit founded by former finance professional Amy Lipput, has developed a therapeutic environment where veterans suffering from PTSD and other trauma-related conditions find healing in the presence of horses who have experienced their own journeys of hardship and recovery.
“Horses don’t judge, they don’t interrupt, and they don’t rush the process,” explains Lipput, whose extensive credentials include Draper Sensory Equine Therapy, EAGALA Equine Specialist certification, Trauma Informed Care, and Mental Health First Aid for Veterans. “They just are—and that presence alone can be transformative.”
The organization’s approach diverges from traditional talk therapy by creating non-verbal connections between veterans and horses. This methodology has shown remarkable effectiveness for those who may struggle to articulate profound trauma or who find conventional therapeutic environments intimidating.
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When Warriors Meet Wise Souls
The therapeutic foundation at Hope in Her Eyes leverages the natural hypervigilance horses possess as prey animals—a characteristic many combat veterans relate to instinctively. This shared experience creates an immediate, unspoken bond that transcends the need for words.
“Working with these horses gave me back a sense of calm and control I didn’t think was possible,” shared one veteran participant who preferred to remain anonymous. Many report significant improvements in emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and better interpersonal relationships after participating in the program.
The facility’s entrance displays a poignant reminder that serves as the organization’s guiding philosophy: “Pain is unavoidable, suffering is a choice.” This principle underscores the agency that veterans can reclaim in their healing journey, even when the initial trauma was beyond their control.
Operation TRIBE: A Lifesaving Mission
Perhaps the most critical aspect of Hope in Her Eyes’ work comes through Operation TRIBE, an initiative developed in collaboration with the New Jersey State Disabled American Veterans’ Suicide Committee. This program specifically targets veteran suicide prevention through meaningful connection and purpose-building activities, according to Monmouth Resource Net.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial. Despite increased attention to veteran mental health in recent years, suicide rates among former service members remain alarmingly high. Traditional interventions haven’t always reached those most at risk, particularly veterans who may be resistant to conventional mental health approaches.
“We’ve found that the non-clinical environment makes a tremendous difference,” Lipput explains. “Some veterans who would never set foot in a therapist’s office will readily come spend time with our horses. And that first step—just showing up—can be lifesaving.”
Science in the Saddle
While the emotional benefits of equine therapy might seem intuitive, the practice is grounded in substantial neurological research. The organization has partnered with Terry Draper of Horseback Miracles to implement Draper Sensory Therapy (DST), a scientifically-backed approach that combines kinesiology, neurophysiology, and sensory integration.
This innovative method involves horses specially trained to maintain specific movement patterns that can literally alter a client’s brainwave frequency. This physiological response helps regulate the nervous system, potentially creating lasting neurological changes that support recovery from trauma.
“What makes this approach so effective is that it doesn’t require the veteran to verbally process their trauma,” notes Lipput. “The healing happens on a physiological level first, which then creates space for emotional and psychological shifts.”
From Finance to Facilitating Healing
Lipput’s journey to founding Hope in Her Eyes represents its own remarkable transformation. After years in the financial industry, she found herself called to address what she describes as “the noise in our heads that distorts our reality.” This personal mission led to extensive study in equine-assisted therapy methods and eventually to creating a haven where both humans and horses could heal together.
The mutual healing aspect is central to the organization’s model. Many of the horses at the facility have been rescued from neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Through their work with veterans, these animals gain purpose, compassionate care, and stability—a parallel journey of recovery that resonates deeply with many participants.
Beyond Veterans: Extending the Healing
While veterans remain the primary focus, Hope in Her Eyes has expanded its services to encompass first responders, families affected by trauma, and children with neurodevelopmental disorders or traumatic brain injuries. This broader application of equine therapy recognizes that various populations can benefit from the unique healing environment that horses provide.
As demand for alternative mental health approaches grows, particularly for those who haven’t responded to conventional treatments, organizations like Hope in Her Eyes represent an important innovation in trauma recovery. By creating space where healing can occur naturally, at its own pace, and without judgment, these equine partnerships offer something that many veterans have found nowhere else: hope, understanding, and a path forward.
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