Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center offers a peaceful retreat for Illinois first responders

FRANKFORT, Ill. — About an hour and a half outside the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, one can find the peace and tranquility of the Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center . It’s where first responders, past and present, can relax, unwind, and find peace with one of the most beautiful creatures on this blue planet—the horse.

Amelie Reilly, a horse therapy participant with high-functioning special needs, says Blue, as she calls him, is her best friend.

“He brings me joy,” she said of the 22-year-old horse named ‘Blue Ivy.’

Specializing in horse therapy, Barbara Mulry , who also serves as CEO, founded the Sojourn Therapeutic Riding Center . Mulry is a national ly recognized career educator with a long history of working with individuals with special needs, beginning with her older sibling, Joseph.

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Research shows that horse therapy reduces anxiety, depression, and isolation. At Sojourn, horse therapy is offered for first responders—police, fire, EMS, dispatchers, and Armed Services veterans—in partnership with the nonprofit Rising Star Ranches .

Kevin Waters is a 13-year Chicago Police Department veteran who was involved in a severe car accident while on duty.

“I damaged my lower extremities and my nervous system, so, eventually, I was put on disability, and then I found out I have some sort of Parkinson’s,” Waters said.

Waters admits that he sometimes struggles with a basic physical range of motion and cognitive challenges. But at Sojourn, a horse ride takes him to a better place.

“No matter what I’m feeling, the pain, anxiety; once you walk in here and see the horse and they look at you, it’s like a melting sensation,” Waters said.

Bill Kushner is the president of Rising Star Ranches .

“Churchill would say, ‘There’s something about the outside of a horse that helps the inside of a man.’”

A career cop who started with CPD in 1977, Kushner became lieutenant and then chief at three suburban departments. His officers’ mental health and well-being have always been a priority. Amid continued efforts, Kushner said addressing mental health has improved since his early years as a first responder.

“The alternative…(used to be) a bottle or a bullet,” Kushner said.

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A recent Justice Department study found the average first responder undergoes a minimum of 400 traumatic experiences in their career compared to about 10 for a civilian in a lifetime.

“When I have a new officer come to me and say, ‘I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have this program,’ that’s a success,” Kushner said. “We get commentary from officers, ‘I was in a really dark place before I came out here.’ That’s a success.”

Since its inception in February 2023, Kushner says Rising Star Ranches has assisted 35 first responders and 25 veterans. Ten area stables work with Rising Star Ranches at no cost to the participants.

“Asking for help doesn’t make you weak,” Waters said. “It makes you stronger because asking for help means that you’ve acknowledged there is something wrong.”

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