Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans

Another great project between TVHS and MTSU!

DATE CHANGE!! 🚨 VA Recreation Therapy & MTSU are teaming up with MOVE United for indoor climbing, kayaking, and (weather permitting) beepball. No experience needed—come and go, free lunch provided!

Another Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans Showcase in the books 🇺🇸

𝟐𝟎 veterans participated, 12 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚!

A special thank you to Peak Equine Productions, LLC., Mission BBQ Murfreesboro, MTSU Horse Science Program, and VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System for their continued support of the program. The veterans loved every minute!

Here at Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans, we want to wish safe travels to the MTSU Stock Horse Team as they start their journey to Texas tomorrow to defend their National Championship 💪🏼

Fun fact - Many of our MTSU CERV students - past and present are a part of the Stock Horse or MTSU Equestrian Team!

It’s now the group’s turn to cheer on our own Andrea Rego and her team. The veterans could not be more proud 💙

Earned it & heading back to keep it. 🏆 ⚡️


📸 Bella Lumley

MTSU’s April 11 horse show highlights CERV equine therapy program for veterans [+VIDEO] Inside the Middle Tennessee State University Horse Science Center, the sound of horses shifting and chuffing in their stalls sets the tone for a different kind of classroom experience — one where h…

MTSU on 2: MTSU, VA partnership supports veteran recovery through equine therapy [+VIDEO] Since its start in 2014, CERV has served 195 veterans through the structured program that pairs them with an MTSU student enrolled in equine-assisted services classes and an MTSU horse.

In the spirit of Recreation Therapy Month, we want to recognize Sarah Howard, our Recreation Therapist, who has been part of our program for 10 years!

Sarah has a special way of encouraging our veterans to discover their purpose and find joy in the everyday. Sarah never asks our veterans to do anything she wouldn’t do herself, which is why you might occasionally spot her in the saddle, too!

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Brad Arnold. Brad, Jen, and 3 Doors Down/The Better Life Foundation have generously supported our veterans. Brad never hesitated to share his personal testimony with anyone willing to listen, and very clearly believed in the ability of horses to help heal people.

Thank you for being a big part of CERV. Our prayers are with Jen, the 3 Doors Down family, and all who are navigating this loss on earth, but gain in Heaven.

MTSU Horse Science Program
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
The Better Life Foundation
3 Doors Down

At the barn, we’re reminded daily of the therapeutic value of horses and their ability to bring joyy to those who’ve served. Thank you to all who have served!
🐴❤️🤍💙

MTSU Horse Science Program
VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

We cannot be more honored to have Andrea Rego leading the equine side of our Center of Equine Recovery for Veterans program! Congrats Andrea!!!

Andrea Rego is an equestrian professional and educator from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, recognized as a 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫. 🤠 As a faculty member at Middle Tennessee State University, she transformed the Stock Horse Team into a nationally recognized program and supports veterans through equine-assisted therapy at the Center of Equine Recovery. Andrea has trained and shown multiple horses in AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse events while mentoring students. She played a crucial role in establishing the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association and actively contributes to various equine associations. Her leadership fosters hard work, integrity, and inclusivity in the equine industry, making her a worthy recipient of the AQHA Emerging Leader Award. Learn more about the Emerging Leader Program ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wUuvf

We’d like to give a shout-out to MTSU graduate student, Erin Scott for her support in assisting teaching our advanced summer sessions. Erin brought an eye for safety and effective group learning. Her contributions helped our veterans build on their horsemanship skills in a way that was engaging and educational. We’re grateful for her dedication to two consecutive semesters of this program. Thank you, Erin!

MTSU Horse Science Program