Tester Announces More Than $94,200 in Adaptive Sports Funding for Disabled Veterans in Montana

Senator secured funding for Billings area organization to help connect disabled veterans with equine therapy

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $94,250 has been awarded to Horses Spirits Healing, Inc., a nonprofit organization outside of Billings that specializes in equine therapy for veterans. This funding will help disabled veterans in Montana improve their independence, well-being, and quality of life through adaptive sports and therapeutic arts programs.

“Year after year, Horses Spirits Healing assists Montana veterans in healing both seen and unseen wounds of war, and their work is a testament to the importance of community-based grant opportunities,” said Tester, Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “That’s why I’m proud to have secured this funding that’ll help connect more veterans with the therapies and treatments they need and earned, closer to home.”

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Tester has continuously fought to secure funding for adaptive recreation opportunities for disabled veterans. Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office awarded $16 million in grants to organizations who improve veterans mental and physical health through adaptive sports and activities. This critical funding includes grants for equine therapy, which received $1.5 million in funds throughout Fiscal Year 2022.

“We are so proud and pleased to be able to continue to improve the quality of life for those that have given so much for our great country under this grant, said Horses Spirits Healing co-founder Barb Skelton. “Horses Spirits Healing takes great pride in creating a space where our brave heroes can heal, and we look forward to using this funding to provide equine therapy to veterans in need throughout our community.”