Eddie Linnenbrink, Nancy Nelson, and Casey Lund are West Point residents who volunteer for the Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA), a non-profit organization based in Omaha that assists people of all ages with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and autism. They all found HETRA independently and participate in the program because they enjoy working with horses and helping people, not for recognition.
Nancy Nelson, a retired physical therapist, discovered HETRA in 2020 through a friend who was completing her certification in therapeutic horsemanship. She bought a horse around 10 years ago and appreciates the therapeutic benefits of working with horses and helping individuals with disabilities. Nelson believes that interacting with horses has mental health benefits and finds the experience personally rewarding.
The volunteers at HETRA, including Linnenbrink, Nelson, and Lund, find fulfillment in working with horses and helping individuals with disabilities. They believe that the therapy provided by interacting with horses is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Each volunteer has a personal connection to horses and values the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others through their work at HETRA.
