Welcome to Hope’s Chariot’s Veteran focused Equine Therapy Program: Hero’s Chariot.
Hero's Chariot
We are honored that you have trusted us to be a part of your healing journey.
We are committed to providing you with a personalized, supportive, and caring program to help address any areas of concern including symptoms related to PTSD, depression, anxiety, relationships, work, and life adjustments. We believe in a team approach where your connections built with your horse(s) will be the main focus followed by the support of the Mental Health Therapist (MH) and Equine Specialist (ES). Equine therapy is an experiential therapeutic approach. Activities in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) will be done “on the ground”. That means there is no riding during this treatment program. Activities may include grooming, observing, walking besides, creating metaphor or stories with your horse that represent areas you may be working on, or “just
being” with your horse. Through collaboration with your therapist, you will work to develop goals that will create a framework to focus activities as well as track progress.
We are committed to providing you with a personalized, supportive, and caring program to help address any areas of concern including symptoms related to PTSD, depression, anxiety, relationships, work, and life adjustments. We believe in a team approach where your connections built with your horse(s) will be the main focus followed by the support of the Mental Health Therapist (MH) and Equine Specialist (ES). Equine therapy is an experiential therapeutic approach. Activities in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) will be done “on the ground”. That means there is no riding during this treatment program. Activities may include grooming, observing, walking besides, creating metaphor or stories with your horse that represent areas you may be working on, or “just
being” with your horse. Through collaboration with your therapist, you will work to develop goals that will create a framework to focus activities as well as track progress.
Why horses?
Horses are excellent at mirroring emotions. Because horses are prey and herd animals they are especially in tune with their surroundings and who and what is in their space. Horses sense a person’s emotions and respond with immediate feedback. Healing that occurs within this connection include trust, emotional regulation, boundaries, communication, problem solving, focus, and safety. Research has suggested that being in the presence of a horse has both physiological and psychological benefit. Horses have an electromagnetic heart field 5x greater than humans. This means they can pick up others' emotions quickly and at greater range. Horses when not in stress tend toward cardiac coherence, which is when internal systems (cardiac, immune, hormone, and nervous systems) are in balance. If we enter the horse's heart field in a state of anxiety or fear for example, our systems are believed to be influenced by the horse's coherence and naturally begin to settle. The result is a feeling of well-being.
Horses are excellent at mirroring emotions. Because horses are prey and herd animals they are especially in tune with their surroundings and who and what is in their space. Horses sense a person’s emotions and respond with immediate feedback. Healing that occurs within this connection include trust, emotional regulation, boundaries, communication, problem solving, focus, and safety. Research has suggested that being in the presence of a horse has both physiological and psychological benefit. Horses have an electromagnetic heart field 5x greater than humans. This means they can pick up others' emotions quickly and at greater range. Horses when not in stress tend toward cardiac coherence, which is when internal systems (cardiac, immune, hormone, and nervous systems) are in balance. If we enter the horse's heart field in a state of anxiety or fear for example, our systems are believed to be influenced by the horse's coherence and naturally begin to settle. The result is a feeling of well-being.
For more information about or to participate in our Veteran Program please contact Kathy Stone
