Equest Program Counselor Jeff Hensley Presents "Hooves for Heroes"

Pictured left to right: Equest Program Counselor Jeff Hensley, Korean War Veteran Dick Lethe, and Barry Jordan.

The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club welcomed Jeff Hensley of Equest to speak at the May 8th luncheon.  Mr. Hensley, who spent 21 years as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, completed two combat deployments in Iraq before deciding to pursue his Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas.  A newly-minted graduate in December, Mr. Hensley now works as the Program Counselor for Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship in Wylie.  It is there that Hensley provides equine-assisted therapy for veterans through the "Hooves for Heroes" program. 

"The goal of our program," said Hensley, "is to improve the overall wellness of our returning warriors through equine-assisted activities and the camaraderie of other veterans.  We are proud to offer the program to active duty, Guard or Reserve members, and, of course, honorably-discharged veterans of any era.  There is no charge to our veterans to participate in this program -- we believe these men and women have already paid through their service to our country."

Equest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies on individual and corporate donations to fulfill its mission: to enrich, empower, and educate through horses.