SWANTON, Ohio — During Veterans Day, our nation honors the brave men and women who served our country.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are more than 16 million veterans living in the United States today.
Veterans Day is also a time to share resources for veterans and show respect for their experiences, during and after service. One of those experiences are of those who have found healing at the Swanton-based ranch called "H.O.O.V.E.S.", which provides horse therapy for veterans.
Amanda Held is the founder of H.O.O.V.E.S. She said the ranch is a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans heal through power of rescued horses. She said all of their horses have been rescued in some way and more than 12 of them come from the wild.
"We serve veterans locally and nationally. We run five-day healing intensive. So, we do a series of mindfulness and nature-based practices. And in the afternoons, we go out and work with the horses," Held said.
She said the horses reflect the life inside of a human. She said they read the nonverbal cues and pick up on how you are feeling. If you are shut down, anxious or disengaged, Held said the horses is going to be the same way.
At H.O.O.V.E.S., veterans take the horses through obstacles and exercises. The veteran talks through the challenges of the obstacle and work on solutions. With the reflective help of the horses, the veteran can work through their problems and find solutions in real life.
As a veteran herself and someone still serving in the Michigan National Guard, Held said Veterans Day means a lot to her.
"Our military has fought for our freedom, and I think we should appreciate veterans everyday, but especially having a day once a year where we really honor and highlight the sacrifice that they've made is really a big deal," she said.