H3 coming to naval troops for holidays

In just three years' time, Monroe resident Arleen Gibson has turned her dream of helping veterans into a reality.

Her vision began in January 2012, after attending a seminar about military post-traumatic stress disorder. Compelled to do what she could to help suffering veterans, and knowing the healing and therapeutic power of horses, Gibson cofounded H3 Horses Healing Heroes with her sister, Joyce Coombs. Through H3, Gibson provides Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to veterans in need at her 50-acre facility on Fern Bluff Road near Sultan.

Gibson, a certified equine specialist through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, treats military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma. She has worked with 22 veterans, so far.

Gibson is holding her first Christmas Gift drive this year, to honor and support United States Navy officers stationed at the Naval Station Everett military base. Her goal is to spread holiday cheer by providing as many gifts as possible to local sailors and their families. She is accepting any and all donations to further her cause, including items for infants and small children, toys, books and gift cards.

Gibson will use monetary donations to purchase gifts for military families. H3 is a 501(C)3 nonprofit, and all donations are tax-deductible. -á -á

Donations to H3's Christmas Gift drive will be accepted at H3 and all three GROW Washington stores, located in Snohomish, Sultan and Everett. Gibson is currently seeking an organization in Monroe willing to accept donations on her behalf.

Since starting H3 in 2012, Gibson has broadened her resources and increased her level of professional staff. Diana Holbrook serves as H3's volunteer coordinator, Marcee Merriam is the H3 business development director and licensed mental health therapist Katie Jacques helps Gibson provide therapy. During an open house at H3 on Wednesday, Nov. 11, guests were invited to tour the facility, mingle with the horses and learn more about EAP.

Gibson and Jacques explained the idea behind EAP, which enables patients to deal with stress, anxiety, fear and anger by using the horses as therapeutic tools. EAP involves providing a relaxing atmosphere and allowing the individual, at their own pace, to form a nonverbal relationship with a horse that can eventually become an integral part of the healing process.

According to local veterans, Gibson is highly skilled at the process, which has been enhanced by the addition of Jacques.

Gibson and Jacques talked about what a session might look like and answered questions during the recent open house event. Depending on the needs of the patient, they will work with individuals, families or even small groups. The treatment varies based on what the patient needs to work on, and the horse or horses might play different roles throughout the session.

"I'm focused more on the client and what the client is doing and the client behavior, and Arleen is focusing on the horse,GÇ¥ Jacques said. "And we're talking with each other during the sessions.GÇ¥

Gibson's fleet of therapy horses includes two miniature horses, Dre and Arby, an Arabian gelding named Skeeter, a "flea bitten greyGÇ¥ Arabian gelding named Buddy, a young mustang named Aiden, a miniature mule named Billy and a pony named Beau.

Jacques, a mental health professional for 15 years, said positive results can come quickly with EAP.

"It's amazing. Clients can spend a year to two years in traditional talk therapy, and then they come out to work with the horses and in one session something just opens up for them,GÇ¥ Jacques said. "The change tends to be very, very fast.GÇ¥

It has always been Gibson's primary goal to provide her services at no cost to the veteran. Now, with Jacques on staff, they are working to obtain referrals through the VA.

"I've become registered with the VA as a provider, so that veterans can come and have a session, and the VA will provide payment for that,GÇ¥ Jacques said.

Gibson doesn't only work with veterans, she said, as EAP can be an effective therapy to anybody suffering from PTSD. It also can be useful for youth dealing with adolescent issues, such as depression and bullying.

"I have had teenagers and preteens that have come and worked with the horses that have been bullied,Gǥ Gibson said. "It has empowered themGǪ They have a way to believe in themselves.Gǥ

Additionally, she has opened her facility to special needs students from Sultan High School, who visit the horses twice a month.

Gibson said that kids come away feeling stronger and more confident after working with the horses, because it gives them the opportunity to work on overcoming their fears in a way that is hands-on and tangible. In addition to PTSD, EAP has been proven effective in treating patients suffering from addictions, domestic violence and family issues, she said.-á -á -á

For more information about H3 Horses Healing Heroes, visit the website at www.horseshealingheros.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/h3horseshealingheroes. Donations for the Christmas Gift drive can be dropped off at all three GROW Washington stores and H3, which is located at 27118 Fern Bluff Road in Monroe. A Monroe-based organization willing to help collect donations should contact Gibson at arleen@h3horseshealingheroes.org.