SWANTON, Ohio — The Swanton Township-based HOOVES organization works with veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD by hosting retreats and other events using equine therapy.
Now, HOOVES has kicked off its second year of the Patriot Project, a three-day retreat where young children and teens work through their own emotional distress or personal issues using horses.
Whitmer High School senior Tristan Ralston said he's learned more about himself through the inaugural Patriot Project in 2022. He said he couldn't believe horses helped him find some personal peace.
"I know, it was crazy," Ralston said. "You've got to be patient. I'm not very patient with my mom, so, it was like I kind of had to slow down."
The first year of the Patriot Project, a one-day retreat, taught Raltson how to deal with life at home.
"Kinda helps you find yourself," he said. "Helps find any problems that you don't realize are there. But once you go through the program, you find out they're there and it helps relieve those problems. Or like home life, like me. Mine was probably my mom a little bit. So, went through that and now me and her are kind of cool."
HOOVES Youth Programs Director Katy Hubbard said she is overjoyed at the program's second year. Hubbard said horses are uniquely positioned to help the kids explore and deal with their issues.
"The horses help them figure out what they need on the inside," Hubbard said. "That's the beauty of the horses, they're not biased and they have no stake in how you feel."
She is most proud of Ralston, who now pays it forward.
"It was just great to see the changes in him because I see him on a regular basis. It's so amazing to see him come back," Hubbard said. "He actually volunteered with the last group of kids that we had and it was nice for him to be a mentor."
For more information about the Patriot Project, click here.