Wyoming program pairs veterans with wild mustangs for mutual healing journey

Operation Remount: Wyoming Program Uses Wild Mustangs to Help Veterans Heal

In Jay Em, Wyoming, Memorial Day is a time for remembrance, but it can also be a challenging period for many veterans, especially those struggling with mental health issues. A unique program in Wyoming is working to address these challenges by pairing veterans with wild mustangs in an innovative approach to healing.

Operation Remount Corporation, a nonprofit organization in Jay Em, offers equine therapy that not only benefits veterans and first responders but also the mustangs themselves. Many of the mustangs in the program come from traumatic backgrounds, just like the participants. Karen Alexander, co-founder of Operation Remount, explains that the mustangs have often been through multiple adoption attempts and have a fear of humans when they first arrive. The program allows both the veterans and the mustangs to experience reciprocal healing as they learn to trust each other.

One of this year’s participants, veteran Sean Walker, describes the impact that his horse, Spirit, has had on him. Having served two tours in Iraq and one in Bosnia with the Kansas National Guard, Walker found it difficult to reintegrate into civilian life after retiring from the military. Joining Operation Remount and forming a bond with Spirit has been a transformative experience for him.

The program recently added a new red cabin to accommodate participants during the six-week course. The cabin was built in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. B.J. Shepperson, who struggled with the transition back to civilian life in Wyoming after serving two deployments. Shepperson’s brother, Baxter Shepperson, believes that B.J. would have appreciated the program’s focus on helping other veterans through their challenges.

Operation Remount not only provides therapy for veterans and first responders but also gives them the opportunity to keep the wild horse they are paired with after completing the program. The organization holds sessions in both spring and fall, and they are working towards building an indoor facility to offer the program year-round, even during Wyoming’s harsh winter months.

The team at Operation Remount is dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders in their healing journey through the unique bond they form with the wild mustangs. The program offers a holistic approach to mental health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of connection and trust in the healing process. With the support of programs like Operation Remount, veterans can find a new sense of purpose and healing in their lives.