The overall long-term objective is to give people in these fields the opportunity to stay in their fields," said Jennifer T. Rummel, executive director with Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center (GMTRC) stables, of the new Heroes and Horses program, an unmounted equine-assisted intervention for frontline workers and first responders first held in October of 2023.

GMTRC program director Steph Fleck reported that the free six-week program, which meets for two consecutive hours each week, attracted five participants who represented the fields of social work, mental health, nursing, and hospice. Although the program has a 10-member capacity, Fleck said she was pleased it started with a smaller group so that the feedback might be more meaningful.

Prior to starting the program, GMTRC surveyed the local first-responder community to find out what daily struggles might be leading them to consider a new career path. "We found a lot of ties to mental health (and) burnout," said Fleck, who noted that GMTRC responded with a pilot curriculum that discussed topics such as setting boundaries, encouraging healthy professional and personal relationships, and effective communication. "Individuals (in these fields) can feel very isolated with what they face and deal with daily," noted Fleck, who added that activities related to self-talk, self-esteem, and positivity were included. Each participant was assigned a project horse, but the pairs were not chosen randomly. "Often when we introduce (participants), they find a natural and easy connection (with one horse) that is really organic," said Fleck. "The horses kind of pick them." As a participant works with a particular horse, a bond develops. "We did a lot of groundwork, which includes leading and learning different exercises to connect with the horse on the ground (rather than on horseback)," explained Fleck, who noted that grooming is part of the weekly routine because it provides "an initial connection time to be quiet and aware." Other exercises were designed to coincide with the discussion topic. Skills challenges were also included. "The horses are really the teachers," Fleck pointed out. "We just facilitate that communication back and forth." Fleck said often an exercise ends with a request for feedback, which leads to discussion of how each participant experienced the events differently. "We have a lot of sharing time," she noted.

Hospital social worker Brittany Hershey, who took part in the first program, said she was searching for a stress reliever that offered something different. "I was really looking for something where I could connect but not necessarily have to talk," she stated. "I like to be able to sometimes not talk but still be able to work through emotions." Hershey noted that the training she received helped her overcome any anxiety she felt about the large animals. "The education that (was) provided by the staff has given me much more confidence with being around (horses)," she said, pointing out that she loved getting to know the personality of her "quirky" project horse, Emmit.

Rummel concurred, noting that working with a horse from the ground is a more personal experience. "Conveying nonverbal messages to (the horses) is so much more mentally and psychologically stimulating (than being on horseback)," she noted. "It's a different kind of experience."

Organizers plan to offer the program at GMTRC several times during 2024. Fleck pointed out that the curriculum can be customized and that the organization hopes to serve EMTs, police, firefighters, and both active-duty and retired military personnel in the future. Open enrollment programs and programs for specific entities - such as the personnel from one fire company could be accommodated. Participants who wish to bring along a support person would be welcome to do so.

More information about GMTRC may be found at http://greystonemanortrc.org.