CA Soldiers use classroom, horses to build life skills

By U.S. ArmyMarch 8, 2012

Horse to water
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Joanna Tyson, an equine specialist, shares a glass of water with her friend "PJ" during a single Soldier retreat held March 1-3 at Tyson's Corner Retreat and Wellness Center in Lampasas, TX. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Dator, 85th Civil Affairs B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Horse and guide
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Chauncey Luckett, a supply specialist assigned to B Company, 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade tends to his recently haltered horse "Diamond" during a Strong Bonds single soldier retreat held March 1-3 at Tyson's Corner Re... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Feeding some carrots
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. James Love (foreground), a radio operator and maintainer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, feeds his newly harnessed horse an apple while Pfc. Isaac Hughes, a chaplain as... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Article and Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Dator, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

LAMPASAS, Texas -- Eleven single Soldiers assigned to the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade participated in a Strong Bonds single Soldier retreat held March 1 -- 3 at Tyson's Corner Retreat and Wellness Center in Lampasas, TX.

Strong Bonds is an Army-wide program that was initially started to help married couples and families deal with the unique difficulties that an Army-lifestyle entails. Units within the Army have revamped the program to focus on helping single Soldiers make the right choices in life through the teachings of Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Successful People".

"Events such as the Strong Bonds program helps build resiliency in our Soldiers while teaching them productive life skills," said Chaplain (Maj.) Bradley C. Godding, chaplain of 85th CA Bde. "This gives them the opportunity to focus on where they are at and how they can impart moral and healthy changes in their lives for the better."

In addition to resiliency training, retreat participants also had a chance to communicate with horses through Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Activities techniques. By interacting with horses as a catalyst for personal introspection and growth, the Soldiers gained a deeper awareness of who they are and how they fit into the bigger Army picture.

"The equine program is something we facilitated with Army chaplains to help Soldiers from Fort Hood get a chance to come here and experience the calming effects horses seem to have on people," said Joanna Tyson, an equine specialist and assistant director of Tyson's Corner Retreat and Wellness Center. "I wanted to share this experience with others -- the raw power that horses represent has the potential to change people for the better when harnessed correctly.

The participants engaged in informal, open-ended classroom discussions before taking part in a "catch and halter" where students attempted to sooth a horse enough to secure a halter around its neck.

"The experience was cool because horses are a lot like people -- they have the same kind of quirks and personalities as humans," said Spc. Stephen L. Viosin, a human resources specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 85th CA Bde. "Horses often like to be around their peers, but are open to accepting new friends once they get to know each other -- I can relate because I'm new to the unit and am experiencing the same thing."