Sundance, an American Quarter Horse, became a part of the BraveHearts’ herd earlier this year. Sundance began training to become a therapy horse and to handle various transitions on and off the horse. Sundance quickly got into the stride of his new job as a therapy horse handling wheelchairs, therapy dogs, walkers, and large groups of people all around him. Sundance primarily works within the Veteran and Veteran services at BraveHearts.
BraveHearts is the largest program in the country to serve Veterans with horses, making Sundance’s job an important one! Whether it is welcoming Veterans off a VA bus for their first-ever ride, challenging a Veteran to meet higher horsemanship goals, or stepping out on a trail ride, Sundance is always willing and ready to work! One tremendous feat for Sundance was boldly completing Trail to Zero in both Chicago and New York City in September, a 20-mile horseback ride raising suicide prevention and awareness for the 20 Veterans/active service lost daily to suicide in the United States. He bravely crossed the most challenging bridges and went through Times Square, Central Park, and Ground Zero, to name a few locations, all where he’s carried veterans!
In the photo gallery, you’ll see a child hugging Sundance. He is a Gold Star son, losing his father in 2023. This moment captured by his mom depicts him finding comfort with his new buddy, Sundance, after a great weekly lesson. Sundance stood like a perfect gentleman allowing him to cry and simply hold space as he let out emotions he’d been carrying. Horses remind us that we don’t have to carry that weight alone, and it is such a blessing to see how impactful Sundance is in this young man’s life.
BraveHearts knows that Sundance will be an instrumental piece of their future with all that he’s accomplished already with his short time at their farm.
About BraveHearts
BraveHearts brings hope, joy and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse. BraveHearts envisions being the premier model for connecting horses with people as a catalyst for wellness. Everyone will have the opportunity to discover healing horsemanship through the BraveHearts model.
