Equine Services For First Responders & Their Families

Horses Know Stress.

Here’s how they help humans:

Mental health and wellness were always a need but never a priority for First Responders. 

Until now. 

Here’s where we’re at:

  • 80% of firefighters and 90% of police and EMT’s report being exposed to a traumatic event (SAMHSA)

  • 74% of dispatch centers are plagued by staff burnout (NENA and Carbyne)

  • Roughly 1 in 3 First Responders develop PTSD (Institutes of Health)

  • Police and Firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in line of duty (CNA & Forbes, respectively)

What do we do?

We offer Evidence-based, confidential equine-assisted programs specifically designed for police, fire, EMS, and dispatch professionals. We offer these in several formats:

  • Ongoing weekly 1 hr

  • Group Learning: monthly first responder and women first responder groups for connecting, decompressing, and grounding

  • Private groups for your station, unit, peer support group, or leadership team

  • Day-long or half-day retreats for teambuilding, communication and trust-building

With 20+ years of experience, our team is available to help you tackle the challenges that First Responders face.

Click here to inquire about services

Why Horses?

Our rescued horses help clients achieve both physical and psychological health & wellness, 

  • Unlike humans, horses do not criticize or judge; instead, they react to human actions candidly and without bias..

  • Horses reflect human energy, helping responders identify and regulate stress and PTSD symptoms in real-time.

  • Horses also understand hypervigilance: how it helps and hurts ourselves and our families.

  • Horses and responders need to know how to survive, but also how to downshift out of survival mode, i.e. how to take the armor off.

How does it happen?

  • No horse experience is necessary, and all sessions are ground-based (no riding).

  • We offer HIPAA-compliant, confidential services. 

  • Certified Professionals: All services are facilitated by a licensed mental health clinician and an equine professional. 

  • Services are provided to first responders and their families at no cost

But, does it work?

78% of our participants report improvements in overall health and well-being

94% indicated stronger communication

81% of participants reported improved mood

Working with Horses Works

What do participants say?

"The horse taught me more about de-escalation in one hour than any classroom ever could."

"It’s a place where I don't have to 'be' the job. I can just be me."

Receive more information about our services for first responders: