HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., --Centenary University recently graduated its 10th class of Operation Centaur, an equine-based program for veterans of all ages.

One of the veterans with a horseNormally enrolled in a 10-week course, the most recent class took six months to finish due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2014, Centenary has been nationally recognized for providing equine-assisted services to veterans.

Operation Centaur provides innovative and recreational services and is comprised of classroom and ground activities, riding, and learning more about the horse and human relationship.

All services are offered at no cost to the veteran and no experience with horses is necessary.

Services are provided through individual and group lessons.

Therapeutic Riding at Centenary (TRAC) and Operation Centaur are both approved programs through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH).

 

THE SAME volunteers have been coming in to help with the program since 2014.

Pictured, with nearly 150 years of service:
A group of people posing for the camera Description automatically generated (Top Left Front Row): LTC Dr. Bruce Murphy, USA (Ret.), 23 years of service–President and Professor at Centenary University; COL Jeanne Murphy, USA (Ret.), 30 years of service; COL Anne Maker, USAF (Ret.), 38 years of service; SGT Jennifer Thorne USAF (Ret.), 4 years of service; 1SGT Chris Jaeger ’06, 28 years of service; MAJ George W. Paffendorf, USA (Ret.), HA ’07, 23 years of service. (Bottom Left Front Row): Karen Brittle, Director of Therapeutic Riding at Centenary University (TRAC), Cheri Carlson TR Riding Instructor Volunteer, Carol Friedman Volunteer and Retired Law Enforcement, Pete Freeman Volunteer 2014 Owner Freeman Motors in Califon, NJ.Some are TRAC instructors who come in from other programs to work with Centenary professionals.

“I always say that Team Centaur is a ‘Dream Team’ composed of dedicated volunteers and professionals,” said Founder and Director of Operation Centaur, MAJ George W. Paffendorf, USA (Ret.) HA ’07.

Operation Centaur received funding through a PATH Equine Services for Hero grant, as TRAC is a Premier Accredited Center (PAC).

Equine services provide emotional, cognitive, social, and physical benefits for veterans.

Service men and women at Operation Centaur have reported benefits including increased self-esteem, self-worth, trust for others and community integration.

They have also experienced a decrease in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder attacks and self-harm thoughts.

Lessons operate in a 10-week block one evening per week, allowing veterans to build on skills learned in previous weeks.

As veterans increase their horsemanship skills and involvement with Operation Centaur, additional opportunities including recreational riding, trail rides, and volunteer training to help with future programs are available.

Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., and his wife, Jeanne Murphy, who are both retired U.S. Army officers, visited Operation Centaur multiple times during class and are proud supporters of the program and the veterans benefiting from it.

Each delivered uplifting remarks during the graduation ceremony.

The next class started on Mon., Oct. 5 at the Centenary University Equestrian Center, Long Valley, N.J.

Classes meet at 6 p.m. and run for two hours.

Veterans of all eras are invited to participate, at no cost.

For additional information or to enroll, contact MAJ George W. Paffendorf, USA (Ret.) at 908-619-4463 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. ###