June’s Granite Stater of Month Is Helping Health Care Workers In An Unexpected Way
Emily Aho of Jaffrey is doing her part in the fight against COVID-19 by providing emotional support to front line health care workers.
Soon after she retired from her career as a registered nurse, Emily saw the world thrown upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. After years of caring for the sick, Emily felt helpless as COVID-19 spread across the country, especially when her father, a distinguished World War II veteran who served as a guard during the Nuremberg trials, was taken from her after contracting COVID-19.
Wanting to help fight back against the pandemic, Emily — who is the Executive Director of the Newfoundland Pony Conservancy in Jaffrey — partnered with True Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship. Together they established Heal the Heroes, a program that provides free therapeutic sessions with ponies and horses for health care workers who have experienced heightened mental and physical strain amid the pandemic.
The health care workers visit Emily’s conservancy once a week, where they learn to communicate and connect with her Newfoundland ponies. After four weeks, the participants graduate to True Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship, where the therapy work continues.
Emily’s empathy and commitment to improving the mental wellness of her fellow community members exemplifies the best that New Hampshire has to offer. I am honored to recognize her as June’s Granite Stater of the Month.
Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the month? Nominate them here.
