Veterans who visited Holy Name Medical Center’s residential hospice are now eligible to receive horse-assisted therapy to help them heal from trauma.

The therapy is through a partnership with the Unbridled Heroes Project, a nonprofit group that connects abused horses with combat veterans.

“You have this American hero who – he goes to war as one person. Experiences the trauma of combat and then comes home and is expects to thrive in this environment that’s foreign to him or her,” says founder Amy McCambridge. “Just like our mustangs. You have these two hyper-vigilant creatures, two living beings, that we bring together and just by being with the horse and changing your breathing patterns and no talking, is so healing.”

The Unbridled Heroes Project is working with the hospice clinical team to expand the program for others.