Bucks County Equine Therapy Helps Veterans Combat Mental Health Struggles
Written by Victoria Scialfa on March 9, 2020
Bucks County Equine Therapy Helps Veterans Combat Mental Health Struggles
By K.C. Lopez
March 9, 2020
Veteran Jim Buszka and Gus at Shamrock Reins. Photo | K.C. Lopez / WLVR
Pipersville, Pa.- Two hundred fifty-seven veterans died by suicide in Pennsylvania in 2017.
At the Shamrock Reins farm in Bucks County, WLVR’s K.C. Lopez reports organizers are working on prevention — using equine therapy.
Here on the 23-acre farm, they’ve stepped in before it’s too late.
Since opening in 2014, the staff has 20 documented saves from veterans who have indicated thoughts or concrete plans to take their own life. Navy Veteran Jim Buszka says this therapy is unlike anything else.
“Even though you’re smiling, who knows what’s going on inside. They pick up what’s going on inside. And so when you see what you’re feeling in the horse it gives you–it makes it a little more cognitive where you know what’s going on with yourself,” says Buszka
Over 500 veterans and first responders have found help here. 90 percent of them are members of the military.
The staff here says it’s their time to serve those who have served the country.
Watch K.C.’s full PBS39 News Tonight Report.
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