Horses & Heroes Program Overview
 

Horses & Heroes is offered completely fee-free to participants and is paid for by donations to our scholarship fund. No prior horse experience is required.
 

Equine-Facilitated Healing
 

The Horses & Heroes program utilizes specially trained horses to facilitate physical and emotional healing for individuals in high-stress professions, such as law enforcement, fire services, EMS, military, dispatch, and the medical field. With the support of horses and volunteers, participants engage in life skills development and healing through horsemanship in a safe, quiet, and welcoming environment.

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Over the course of our sessions, participants experience profound lessons that help guide them toward rediscovering a passion for life, rebuilding trust, and fostering relationships that will sustain them in the future.

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Is This Program Right for You?
 

Consider joining if you identify with any of the following:

• Struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or panic disorder

• Having thoughts of suicide

• A history of depression

• Feeling disconnected from family and friends

• Preferring to avoid large crowds

• Enjoying nature or horses
   

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please reach out via phone or email to apply.

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Why Horses?

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The bond between humans and horses is profound and well-documented. Horses are highly sensitive and alert animals, exceptional at reading non-verbal communication. They offer participants the opportunity to work through life changes in a safe, experiential environment.

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Key benefits include:

• Resilience: Experiential activities replicate stressors, frustrations, and relationship challenges, helping participants learn how to adapt, improvise, and overcome in both professional and personal settings.

• Non-Verbal Communication: Horses provide insight into how participants communicate non-verbally, promoting the development of healthier communication styles.

• Adaptability: Participants learn to respond to the unpredictability of horses, discovering ways to make the relationship work despite a lack of control.

• Emotional Healing: Bonding with a horse can be emotionally comforting. The repetitive motion of grooming has a soothing effect, especially for those dealing with anxiety.
   

Program Structure:
 

The program consists of two phases:

• Phase One: Non-mounted activities with horses and instructors.

• Phase Two: Mounted work for those who complete Phase One.
   

Graduate Involvement

We encourage graduates of the Horses & Heroes program to volunteer in future classes, offering moral and physical support to their peers. Volunteers will receive training in program goals, horse handling, side-walking, and safety.

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How to Sign Up

To enroll, fill out the H&H forms for the current year.
 

If you have any questions or need more information, contact our Client Coordinator at 509-492-8000 or email us at Hello@StridesTC.org.