Equine therapy program to aid incarcerated, non-violent veterans

Judge John Roach, left, Pat Puckett and Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner, at the first session of the VALOR/Collin County Sheriff’s Office Equine Therapy Program in October 2024. In December, the CCSO held its second session with plans for more in 2025. Courtesy CCSO

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.

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