Featured Events
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - July 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - July 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - August 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - August 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Stable & Safe - August 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Veterans Treatment Court
The Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) “supports and assists Veterans and their families through a coordinated effort involving the court and community-based Veteran services, enhancing their quality of life and ensuring that no Veteran is left behind.”
Heart of Horse Sense is proud to collaborate with the Veterans Treatment Court to promote awareness of veteran mental health by hosting court sessions at the Heart of Horse Sense farm in Marshall, NC. Court proceedings take place at the Buncombe County Courthouse on the first and third Fridays of each month and are open to the public.
Through the partnership between Heart of Horse Sense and the Veterans Treatment Court, we can conduct court proceedings at the farm and introduce veterans to equine-assisted services.
For those interested in attending Veterans Treatment Court at Heart of Horse Sense, please reach out to programs@heartofhorsesense.org.
To learn more about Veterans Treatment Court, visit: Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court - Home
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - September 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Open House - Sept 5, 2026
Join us for a tour of our beautiful farm and a demonstration of equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning!
RSVP Here:
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - September 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Stable & Safe - September 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Stable & Safe - July 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - June 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - June 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Stable & Safe - June 2026
This group is currently full! If you would like to be notified by email about future groups, please contact programs@heartofhorsesense.org. Thank you!
Women’s First Responder and Veteran Group - June 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to women veterans and first responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans. All female-identifying first responders and veterans are welcome.
Open House - June 6, 2026
Join us for a tour of our beautiful farm and a demonstration of equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning!
RSVP Here:
Webinar: Nontraditional Approaches to Mental Health & Wellness
Join Shannon Knapp, Founder of Heart of Horse Sense, a leading provider in mental health and wellness, as she talks about “Nontraditional Approaches to Mental Health and Wellness”. Whether you’re looking for healing or you’re a mental health and wellness practitioner, join us to learn about ways to support your mental health and wellness outside of traditional therapy.
Registration is required here: Webinar Registration
For questions, please contact Brooke@HeartofHorseSense.org
Lunch & Learn: Nontraditional Approaches to Mental Health & Wellness
Join Shannon Knapp, Founder of Heart of Horse Sense, a leading provider in mental health and wellness, as she talks about “Nontraditional Approaches to Mental Health and Wellness”. Whether you’re looking for healing or you’re a mental health and wellness practitioner, join us to learn about ways to support your mental health and wellness outside of traditional therapy.
Please let us know if you will attend by filling out the form below.
Stable & Safe - May 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - May 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - May 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Stable & Safe - April 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Women’s First Responder and Veteran Group - April 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to women veterans and first responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans. All female-identifying first responders and veterans are welcome.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - March 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Stable & Safe - March 2026
This group is free and open to anyone, we ask that you RSVP below.
Women’s First Responder and Veteran Group
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to women veterans and first responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans. All female-identifying first responders and veterans are welcome.
FRMHS: Family Day!
Join us for this free, family-friendly event on our beautiful farm in Marshall, NC!
Schedule of Events:
9:30 - 10:15 AM: arrival and check-in
10:15 - 10:45 AM: Intro to equine-assisted services with Jaime Williams
10:45 - 11:45 AM: Equine-assisted services interactive demonstration
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM: A word from our sponsors
12:00 - 12:30 PM: Lunch
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Group demonstrations with Brothers and Sisters Like These, Resources for Resilience, Veterans Healing Farm, and more!
1:30 - 2:00 PM: Closing with Shannon Knapp
This event is FREE and open to all first responders (retired and currently working), their families, support staff, and community members.
Please RSVP on our SUMMIT PAGE!
FRMHS: Summit Panels & Exposition
Join us for a day of learning with panelists including first responders, mental health & wellness organizations, and other key community members!
Schedule of Events:
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Opening Remarks from Keynote Speaker Jamie Williams: Why are we here?
10:30 - 11:15 AM: Couch Optional: Demystifying Mental Health and Wellness: Shannon Knapp
11:15 - 11:30 AM: Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Reducing Stigma & Building Awareness Panel with first responders, peer support, leadership, and family members
12:30 - 12:45 PM: A word from our sponsors
12:45 - 1:30 PM: Lunch and special dog visit in honor of K9 Veterans Day
1:30 - 2:30 PM: Pathways to Support, Fast and Slow(er) Panel featuring Equine Assisted Services, Resources for Resilience, mindfulness, and responder support services
2:30 - 3:00 PM: Now What? With Shannon Knapp, including open Q&A time
This event is free and open to all first responders (retired and currently working), their families, support staff, and community members.
Please RSVP on our SUMMIT PAGE!
FRMHS: Keynote with Jamie Williams
Kicking off the event on Thursday evening is our keynote speaker, retired firefighter and fire chief Jamie Williams. Jamie dedicated 25 years to serving the California Fire Protection District. She holds certifications in both peer and group intervention through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, working alongside peer support teams, chaplains, and mental health professionals in leading crisis diffusing and critical incident debriefings. From her personal journey as a first responder, Jamie has found the incredible healing power of horses. She is an equine professional and co-founder of the Optimum Resilience Program at Best Solutions Therapy in Middleton, Idaho, where they provide treatment, counseling, education, advocacy, and life coaching.
Jamie is also part of the counseling and training team at First Responder Wellness, an inpatient and intensive outpatient program located in Newport Beach, California. First Responder Wellness specializes in the treatment of first responders and public safety professionals recovering from trauma and provides them a safe transition back to their careers and personal lives.
In addition, Jamie is co-founder of FRCareer 360, a coaching and personalized mentorship program and resource center for individuals choosing firefighting as a livelihood.
This event is free and open to all first responders (retired and currently working), their families, support staff, and community members.
Please RSVP on our SUMMIT PAGE!
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - March 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Women’s First Responder and Veteran Group
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to women veterans and first responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans. All female-identifying first responders and veterans are welcome.
Stable & Safe - February 2026
This group is currently full. To be notified about additional groups, please contact programs@heartofhorsesense.org
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - February 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - February 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - January 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - January 2026
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Group - December 2025
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.
First-Responder Mental Health & Wellness Group - December 2025
An equine-assisted learning group dedicated to first-responders. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans.