Oregon: Healing vets group plans symposium

Volunteer Randy Roberts of HOOVES Sanctuary and Healing Center, based out of Swanton, went before Oregon City Council June 10 to request its support for a symposium the organization is holding this September in the city.
HOOVES (Healing Of Our Veterans Equine Services) is a non-profit organization that works to rescue and rehabilitate wild horses back to good health.
In turn, the organization utilizes the horses to help veterans deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The symposium will focus on wild horse advocacy and mental health issues such as suicide prevention, social-emotional learning, and inclusion for veterans.
HOOVES will hold its first ever symposium in Oregon Sept. 5 - 8.
The group has rented space to hold the 4-day long event at Maumee Bay State Park and at OH Stables, located down the street from Maumee Bay on Cedar Point Road.
The symposium will have professional equine trainers at OH Stables demonstrate gentling on wild mustangs. Gentling is the process in which a trainer works with a wild horse until it becomes tame and responsive to the trainer’s commands.
Auctions will be held at both sites, which will host art dealers from around the country. The art dealers will sell Western artwork to help bring funds for HOOVES.
There will also be a panel of professional equine trainers on site to help bring awareness and answer questions for veterans with PTSD. They will demonstrate how equine therapy has brought social and emotional comfort to affected veterans with PTSD.
A formal Western style gala will be held at Maumee Bay to help raise funds and awareness for HOOVES during the symposium event. Live entertainment, an auction, and other events will be dedicated to help raise funds to sponsor veterans through HOOVES.
September is suicide prevention month. A suicide awareness breakfast will be held at Maumee Bay to provide presentations on suicide prevention. Attendees can explore booths hosted by local organizations dedicated to suicide prevention by offering community resources and support.