Reins of Hope
Equine therapy program to aid incarcerated non-violent veterans
By Sonia Duggan
Thanks to the efforts of two Collin County leaders, military veterans in the justice system now have a powerful new resource for healing and rehabilitation.
Determined to leave ‘no man behind,’ Sheriff Jim Skinner and Judge John Roach—both veterans themselves—collaborated to launch the VALOR/Collin County Sheriff’s Office Equine Therapy Program.
This innovative initiative blends intensive therapy with the transformative power of horses, giving justice-involved non-violent veteran inmates a chance to rebuild trust, purpose, and dignity.
Skinner, a seasoned horseman, and Roach, who oversees the Veterans Court and the Veterans Accessing Lifelong Opportunities for Rehabilitation (VALOR) program, recognized the need for fresh approaches to help veterans in the justice system address the struggles that often lead to incarceration—such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse, and a loss of direction.
Through his work with sheriffs across Texas and beyond, Skinner has encountered numerous methods aimed at reducing recidivism, and he believes the right programs can make a lasting impact.
“What we want to do is break that cycle,” Skinner said. “And it’s not unrealistic. It’s absolutely attainable, and it’s been demonstrated by others.”
The new equine therapy program builds on the foundation of the existing VALOR initiative, which offers participants a structured daily schedule designed to foster growth and discipline. Inmates spend the mornings working, followed by afternoon classroom sessions. By integrating equine-assisted therapy into this routine on a rotating basis, the program introduces a therapeutic outlet that promotes emotional resilience, self-awareness, and a sense of responsibility through interaction with horses.
Veteran horseman offers skills
At the heart of the equine therapy program is Pat Puckett, a horseman, military veteran, YouTube personality, and founder of The Disciplined Ride.
Skinner first discovered Puckett through his videos and was impressed by his expertise in horsemanship, particularly with bridle horses, as well as his approachable teaching style.
“I watched his YouTube channel, and I’ve seen his pieces on Veterans Day,” Skinner said. “I kind of pieced it all together, did some research on Equine Assisted Therapy, and then wrote him a letter outlining my plans.”
In that letter, Skinner emphasized the need for “a cowboy who’s a veteran who understands what PTSD is and who has the fire in his belly and the commitment to come here to Texas all the way from California and help me start this.”
After receiving the letter, Puckett called Skinner early the next morning and quickly accepted the offer.
In a YouTube video reflecting on his visit to Texas, Puckett recounted their conversation: “At 70-plus years old, the fact is, now I get a chance to pay it forward, and that’s a real honor for me.”
In October, Puckett, with support from Skinner, Roach, and many others, led the inaugural week-long session at the WES Arena in Blue Ridge, introducing inmates to the fundamentals of horse care and training.
“They were nervous, and I was nervous because I’ve never faced veterans for my own personal reasons,” Puckett said. “This was a chance for me to face my fears. And within a half hour, I could feel the fear go away. For the next five days, all we did was build on that.”
Under Puckett’s tutelage, inmates learned how to establish trust with the horses before progressing to tasks such as putting on halters, cleaning stalls, leading them and caring for their hooves.
“Out of 35 people, by the end of the week, 34 got on a horse, and probably 20 had never touched a horse in their life,” Puckett said. “I would call that a success.”
Skinner was equally moved by the transformation he witnessed, especially during a trust-building exercise. Veterans sat in chairs spaced 50 feet apart in the center of the arena, holding the lead ropes of the horses.
“As the veteran relaxed, the horse would draw nearer,” Skinner explained. “And as the horse relaxed, its head would come down as well. By the end of two hours, those horses’ heads were in their laps.”
Skinner described witnessing an emotional breakthrough during the exercise: “I watched a grown man weep like a child just uncontrollably with that horse. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen,” adding “This guy is truly the horse whisperer.”
Building a Future
Sheriff Skinner envisions a transformative future for the equine therapy program, starting with the construction of the Sheriff’s Restoration Ranch. This $500,000 facility will feature 10 stalls with 60-foot runs, a regulation-size arena, an office, a tack room, storage for additional equipment, and more.
Securing funding has been a top priority for Skinner, who is committed to running his department efficiently and ensuring the program’s self-sufficiency. A portion of the department’s commissary funds—designated for inmate-related programs—has been carefully allocated for this project.
“Sheriffs receive a percentage of commissary funds, and we’ve been very frugal with how we use our money,” Skinner said. “We fund jail programs with those resources, so taxpayers don’t have to shoulder the cost.”
The proposal to build a barn near the jail wasn’t without its challenges. The county judge and one commissioner questioned the feasibility of the project, but Skinner remained steadfast in his vision, ultimately securing narrow approval with a 3-2 vote.
“I want people to know we’re being responsible with resources while also investing in something that has the power to change lives,” he said.
Despite delays caused by licensing and technical hurdles, Skinner expects construction to begin in January, with completion projected by early August. Meanwhile, the program has already acquired critical resources, including a pickup truck, a horse trailer, and saddles, to prepare for upcoming sessions.
The next equine therapy session is scheduled for early December with Puckett bringing three horses from California: a retired San Francisco Police Department horse and two seasoned ranch horses. Their extensive training ensures a safer, hands-on experience for participants.
“The reason we use these types of horses is because they’ve had a million miles put on them,” Skinner explained.
Looking ahead, Skinner aims to expand the program to include seven to 10 horses. He also plans to share the facility with the McKinney Police Department to offset costs and broaden the program’s reach.
Participants take full responsibility for the horses, from cleaning stables to developing trust-based relationships with the animals. This process fosters discipline, accountability, and emotional growth.
“You can’t run a barn or care for horses without learning to trust,” Skinner said.
Puckett plays a vital role in shaping the program, instilling participants with the discipline and values necessary for their rehabilitation. “Every time Puckett is here teaching, we have two people consistently working with him on horseback, learning and growing,” Skinner added. “Many of us have our own horses, and the lessons extend to the entire team.”
To ensure the program’s longevity, Skinner established the Stay in the Fight Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at supporting equine therapy and other veteran-focused initiatives. Alicia Freeman, an experienced horsewoman and passionate advocate for veterans, will lead the foundation, with one of its main goals being to secure funding to hire a specialist in veterans’ equine therapy.
“We hope individuals and businesses will contribute to the foundation,” Skinner said. “There may come a time when I need to have Pat come every month.”
Skinner emphasized the program’s importance in giving back to veterans who have sacrificed so much.
“They sacrifice their time, their lives, and their families’ lives for the defense of our country,” he said. “We can’t help everyone, but we can make a big dent in the problem. And we can stay true to the creed we all learned in the military: not leaving anybody behind.”
To support the VALOR/Collin County Sheriff’s Office Equine Therapy Program, visit stayinthefightveteransfoundation.org