What is the Horses for Veterans Horsemanship & Wellness Program?

This program incorporates the practice of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning (EFP/EFL) for Combat Veterans in a method that integrate:

• the principles of natural horsemanship

• relationship building techniques to facilitate growth and healing

• mind/body relaxation techniques

What can EFP/EFL provide for Veterans?

• EFP/EFL helps Veterans to build relationships and improve trust

• EFP/EFL assists Veterans in learn healthy boundary-setting and empowerment in relationships.

• EFP/EFL helps Veterans to create a toolbox of relaxation techniques which participants learn to implement in real-life situations.

• EFP/EFL teaches ways to interact with others which can be used “in the barn and out in the world.”

A Combat Veteran is…

• Any Veteran who served in a combat zone during a period of war or conflict.

Common Issues Addressed in Our EFP/EFL Program for Veterans…

• Trust and intimacy issues.

• Relationship issues.

• Trauma and triggers.

• Anger management issues.

• Anxiety issues.

• Mind/body and body awareness issues.

• Boundary-setting and healthy interaction issues.

What Is the Basic Information I Need To Know About the Program?

• The Horses for Veterans program is an individual or group therapy activity.

• Each Veteran participant is paired with one horse for the duration of the program; this horse becomes their equine partner.

• NO previous horse experience necessary.

• There is an ADVANCED program for those persons who have completed the BEGINNER program.

• Once Veterans have completed BOTH the beginner and advanced series there are options to volunteer at the facility in a variety of roles.

 

What other events, workshops and programs do you offer for veterans and/or their FAMILY members?

 

• Occasionally, we will provide alternate activities to the regular year-long schedule of Veteran programming which will be open to Veterans, Veterans’ family members (spouses, children, significant others/other family members).

• Throughout the year we also offer some activities, events, and workshops on a weekend day for those Veterans and family members who have working weekday schedules.