LAS VEGAS -- Raina Ames, 24, a USAF veteran, has been selected as a Fellow with The Mission Continues' Bravo Class and will be working with Las Vega-based non-profit, Horses4Heroes. Ms. Ames will be serving as a Veterans Advocate and conducting community outreach to local veterans including, but not limited to those who have served in Vietnam, Desert Storm, Gulf War, Operating Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In addition, Ms. Ames is coordinating the non-profit's life skills workshops for veterans, Back in the Saddle and The Pony Express, in coordination with Mark Keyser and Keyser Horsemanship. These free programs teach veterans and their families how to safely interact with horses through a series of un-mounted and mounted arena exercises.
According to Ms. Ames, these programs are experiential in nature, meaning the participants learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses, then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. Horses’ sensitivity to non-verbal communication assists veterans in developing greater awareness of their emotions, the non-verbal cues that they may be communicating, and the important role of non-verbal communication in relationships. Communicating effectively with a horse requires the rider to demonstrate assertiveness, direction, and initiative; important skills that enable the veteran and families to express their needs and rights more effectively in other relationships and in the family unit. Through grooming activities and other types of care for a specific horse, participants and their families are able to put aside the absorbing focus of their challenges of returning to civilian life, such as depressive ruminations, and instead to direct their attention and interests outwardly toward safe and caring interactions to help reconnect and reacquaint individuals to civilian life and/or with their families.
Ms. Raines is married to Capt Josh Ames, USAF and has two children. She is originally from Little Rock, AR, but was a military child most of her childhood.
For information about participating in these workshops, volunteering or sponsoring a veteran, call 702.885.1943. According to the non-profit, it costs $100 for a veteran to complete one four-hour workshop. Workshops are free to the participant.
About Horses4Heroes
Horses4Heroes, a Las Vegas-based national non-profit, operates the Horses4Heroes Community Equestrian Center at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. The organization provides affordable recreational and instructional activities for the community and free health & wellness programs for veterans and their families, victims of domestic violence, and at-risk youth, foster children and teens. Horses4Heroes has 300 affiliates in 44 states and Canada. For more information visit www.horses4heroes.org.
About The Mission Continues
St. Louis-based The Mission Continues, a non-profit, empowers veterans facing the challenge of adjusting to life at home to find new missions. The organization redeploys veterans in their communities, so that their shared legacy will be one of action and service. Through the Mission Continues, veterans serve their country in new ways by engaging in innovative and action-oriented programs. The first, The Mission Continues’ Fellowship, harnesses veterans’ strengths, skills, and their compassion and empowers them to volunteer with non-profit organizations in their community on a daily basis. The second, The Mission Continues’ Service Platoons, brings teams of veterans who are working together with partners at the local level to build stronger communities and tackle pressing issues. For more information visit www.missioncontinues.org.
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