Spring Thaw, Awarded National Medal of Honor by NJ VA

February 17th, 2018

SAVE the DATE:

WHAT:
Planetree Therapy Animal Medal of Honor Ceremony presented by NJ VA Healthcare System and Veterans of NJ to the only recipient in New Jersey – a Horse named Spring Thaw. Nominated/awarded by NJ VA Veterans, Spring is the only recipient for state of New Jersey, and 1 of 15 nationally.

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 20^th 2018 at 10:30am (rain or shine we have an indoor arena)

WHERE:
Spring Reins of Life 501c3 at Hunt Cap Farms. 401 Main Street, Three Bridges, NJ 08887

 

WHY?:
This horse Spring served over 700 combat veterans from 2012 to 1/17/18. He was a gifted teacher and healer and shared his wisdoms of the heart in a unique way. On 1/20/18 this horse made his transition just shy of his 31^st birthday (which is today). This award was decided without the knowledge of his passing. It will be presented to Spring’s Herd-mates posthumously – paying respects and honor to all that he gave for United States Veterans.

WHO:
Spring Thaw dedicated the last 10 years of his life to helping humans with personal and professional development and to heal the wounds of trauma in the EAGALA Model EAP/L therapy arena. He was our patriarch, our teacher and nicknamed “that JediHorse” for some of his keen techniques. Spring Thaw is the only recipient of this award in the state of New Jersey – and 1 of 15 in the United States (the national award ceremony is in Baltimore MD mid-October).  Spring led CC to EAGALA in 2007 after retiring from Eventing in NJ. That story is told in the book Horses with a Mission (NWL 2008).

Three Bridges, NJ – January 31, 2018

Please Join Us on the First Day of Spring (Tuesday, March 20^th) at 10:30am in Three Bridges, NJ!
This date will be a special day of honor for all of us at Spring Reins of Life (Horses, Humans & Healing 501c3) and Hunt Cap Farms! Help us to pay tribute and respect to a New Jersey horse who recently passed away AND who was just chosen to receive a Medal of Honor by Veterans in the State of New Jersey.

Celebrate with Us! We were notified only days after our great warrior/ elder lost is fight to remain with us —- that Spring (the horse) had been nominated and chosen to receive an award of service from the VA. Without knowledge of his transition veterans chose Spring Thaw to be 1 of 15 national recipients of the 2017 Planetree Animal Therapy Medal of Honor (Spring is the ONLY recipient in the state of New Jersey)!  Since 2012 when Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) began seeing veterans with PTSD at Operation Horse, Spring worked with and served over 700 veterans from the NJ VA Healthcare System as well as local combat veterans in New Jersey. Many of whom referred to him as The General or Grandpa. This is a very special honor for all of us, especially at this time of mourning. Spring’s widow and fellow Herd members will accept the award on his behalf, posthumously.  March 20 would have marked his 31^st year, so “Happy Birthday Spring – and Thank You for Your Service”!

All of us at SRoL would like to create awareness both locally and also to the greater community state wide.  Practicing the EAGALA Model since 2011 and holding a special certification called “Military Services Provider” since 2014 which enhances the services we can provide to combat PTSD veterans of New Jersey. We seek greater awareness, funding, and the release of funds for veteran’s mental healthcare. The reason SRoL runs Operation Horse is because the estimated 22 suicides per day is unacceptable!

On Saturday, January 20^th at 456pm with a heavy heart we had to set Spring free. This brutal cold winter had ganged up on his aged and arthritic body and became too much for him to battle. This horse dedicated the last years of his life to helping veteran and youth trauma survivors find present, find peace and create healing personalized coping skills – that ultimately saved lives. Spring’s talents set forth positive change in the lives of numerable clients in the 9 years he spent working his JediHorse tricks with our Herd and our professional facilitators, we are richly blessed to have had his guidance and wisdoms shared so freely in our EAP healing arena. In honor of ALL that he provided, we are 1000% committed to continuing his legacy. In order to be strong in that we must garner more awareness and support: Donors, Volunteers, Local & State Community…SRoL is a small local nonprofit, run completely by volunteers which allow the majority of our funding to be utilized for programming services honoring our mission of saving lives, locally. Please help us learning “why horses” and spread the word!

All Are Welcome in Honoring the Legacy of a Very Special Spotted Horse from New York City!
Spring Thaw shaped/ affected lives of thousands of humans during his colorful life. He will be missed deeply.
Recognition such as this reminds us that Spring was not our horse, he was everyone’s horse!
Run in Peace Great Friend!
Spring Thaw – A Wonderful Life, March 20, 1987 – Jan 20, 2018
Eagala Model EAP/L Therapy Horse, Nov 9, 2009 – Jan 17, 2018

In Attendance:
Associate Director of the NJ VA Healthcare System (Lyons Campus)
Chief of Recreation Therapy (Lyons Campus)
Recreation Therapist and Veterans from Lyons Campus
SRoL’s Operation Horse veterans
Christianna Capra, SRoL cofounder
Dane, Syriana, Mif, Molly, Edith, Gloria, Dijon/Puzzle, CrazyLegs
SRoL Board Members, Volunteers, Donors and Friends
Barbara Bemelmans, owner of Hunt Cap Farms

Please Invite:
Media (Pre & Post Event / Photo & Video – Yes!)
Local and State Government Officials
State Level Veterans Administration Officials
Community Leaders & Active Members
New Jersey Based Horse Community

Statement from the NJ VA Healthcare System:
“Spring Thaw, our Therapy Animal nominee, will be awarded the Therapy Animal Medal of Honor. Only 15 therapy animals made it to that level. I want to thank you for your time and effort in submitting an application to the 2017 Planetree Animal Therapy Awards. As you know this special award recognizes animal therapy teams who through interaction and presence make a positive significant difference in patients, patient-family members and staff’s lives. We are very happy to announce that your nomination will be awarded the Planetree Animal Therapy Medal of Honor, which will be presented at the 2017 Global Person-Centered Care Awards @ 6PM on October 18th, Baltimore, MD.”

About Spring Reins of Life 501c3 (SRoL):
Spring Reins of Life (Horses, Humans & Healing) is a 501c3 nonprofit public charity offering Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to trauma survivors in New Jersey, NYC and Eastern PA. Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to serving PTSD veterans & their families, at-risk/high- risk youth and children in bereavement.  In 2014 SRoL became the first and still currently the only program in New Jersey to earn the “Military Services Provider Certificate”.  EAP services are offered under the EAGALA Model adhering to code of ethics and HIPAA compliancy. SRoL is a volunteer run organization allowing nearly all funding to be spent on programming services, not salaries. Public/private funding is both necessary and greatly appreciated, especially in 2018. www.SpringReinsofLife.org

See article on TAPintoHorses (Feb 13, 2018)

 

Posted in News & Events, News Releases

Tags: EAGALA, New Jersey, Planetree Medal of Honor, PTSD, Service Animal, Spring Reins of Life, Spring Thaw, Therapy Animal, Vetearns