Veterans return from a trail ride Thursday at the Barrington Hills Riding Center. The Veterans Day ride was sponsored by the Barrington Hills Park District and the nonprofit BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center. (John Starks | Staff Photographer)
After 13 surgeries on her left knee, and possibly having to face a 14th, Navy veteran Michelle Arnier has endured some extremely difficult times over the last several years.
But in the last five months, she’s found something that has helped her immensely in tackling the challenge: the horse-riding program for veterans offered by the therapeutic riding center BraveHearts.
Connecting with other veterans who understand one another effortlessly and spending time with horses has been incredibly healing for Arnier.
“Literally, it has changed my whole perspective,” the Crystal Lake resident said. “Riding, it’s beautiful. It’s so peaceful when you get on a horse, it seems like everything goes away.”
Arnier was among nearly 50 veterans who participated Thursday in BraveHearts’ special riding event hosted by the Barrington Hills Park District at its riding center on Bateman Road.
The day included a horseback ride through the adjacent trails within the Forest Preserves of Cook County, followed by lunch and socializing.
Barrington Hills Park District Board President Dennis Kelly was hard at work all day, cooking burgers on the grill. The meal’s sides were provided by BraveHearts volunteers Mike and Anne Harrington of Barrington Hills.
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