Ottawa to study benefits of horse therapy for injured veterans

Veterans Affairs Minister Erin O'Toole makes a funding announcement in Ashford, Ont. on Monday, July 27, 2015.

OTTAWA - Therapy dogs are being used to help patients with mental health issues and researchers want to know if horses can do the same job.

A pair of government-financed studies will look at whether horses can help veterans deal with stress-related mental injuries.

Veterans Affairs says The Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research will receive $250,000 to conduct a horse study, while Can Praxis will receive $25,000 to continue its equine research.

Can Praxis is a not-for-profit organization that uses equine-assisted learning to support veterans with mental health conditions.

The health research institute is a hub for researchers from Canadian universities working on veterans' health needs.

A preliminary study on therapy horses was announced two years ago.