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“I know that you are not defined by chronic illness or physical disability, but it can demoralize you and cause you to give up. This class showed me that I can still achieve – and I can

still dream.” Joanne Parchetta is one of many Veterans nurtured and helped by the Center for Equine Recovery (CERV), a program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). The idea behind

the program was bringing Veterans in from the Veterans Recovery Center (VRC), part of Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to the MTSU Horse Science Center

for horse classes. Through interactions and learning about the behaviors of equines, or horses, Veterans could holistically learn about themselves through their development in class. “The

program is set up to safely assist and encourage Veterans to succeed in overcoming some of the fears we might have of large animals or horses, but also to build our self-confidence and learn

to trust others and ourselves again,” said Lee Farris, who served in the U.S. Army for more than eight years and has been a part of CERV since 2023. CERV, pronounced as “serve,” allows

Veterans from the VRC, part of Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), a way to break through their own mental and health barriers to improve their own lives. According to the CERV

website, horses mirror their guide or rider and provide a physical reflection of a Veteran’s emotions. With this feedback, a Veteran can better see, process, and work through their

behaviors. “My horse Penny showed me patience,” said Parchetta who served with the U.S. Navy for 10 years and has been a part of CERV since 2024. “She wasn’t judgmental but expected me to do

my part with confidence.” Confidence, patience, and courage are vital skills that are tantamount to VA’s Whole Health service; and CERV works with the recreational therapy portion of Whole

Health. Providing Veterans a chance to break through some of their mental and physical barriers, is one way TVHS and CERV are helping those who served. “I struggled a lot with confidence and

the more I worked with horses, the more they helped build my confidence level up,” said Chris Foote, who served in the U.S. Navy for almost five years, and has been a part of CERV since

2020. “Seeing the changes in my life that wouldn't have been possible without the work I've done with horses.” The CERV class walks Veterans through classroom and hands-on

demonstrations. How to groom, care for, and even get to know the horse are part of the initial few weeks of the 10-week CERV program. Veterans learn how to walk and guide their horses while

dismounted and then how to lead their horses through various obstacles. CERV uses swimming pool noodles as obstacles as part of the training. The instructors use the noodles to indicate the

different issues and challenges Veterans are going through in their lives, and they can overcome those challenges by walking and leading their horse through them. “You have to work as a team

with your horse emotionally and physically for it to work,” said Parchetta. “When trusting in this amazing animal it makes you trust in yourself and thus rediscover things in yourself you

thought were lost.” The building of trust continues as Veterans learn how to “tac up,” or place the saddle pad, saddle, and bridle, safely onto their horse. By week five, Veterans are

normally comfortable enough to mount and ride. As the progression continues, Veterans ride through the same obstacles they walked their horse in the final few weeks of the class. The class

is a progression that allows Veterans to build upon their skills and relationship with their horse. As the two work together to move through and over obstacles, Veterans are able to overcome

their internal challenges.  For Farris, the professionalism of the CERV instructors provided a place for him to feel comfortable to grow.  “I learned how to trust the staff and the MTSU

students not only because they were the experts, but they patiently took their time to ensure I was confident with the skills I was learning,” said Farris. “I was able to be myself and not

worry about being judged for my mistakes.” CERV provides Veterans a chance to holistically address their mental and physical issues. It continues to act as a beacon to find the confidence,

trust, and friendship in someone who does not judge - but may "neigh.”