Combat stress reactions are best described as an
absolutely normal reaction to an abnormal situation.
Combat Veterans can find it challenging to adapt the mental training and defense mechanisms they learned to ensure ‘success’ in battle to peace time living.
If given the proper tools, symptoms of severe stress can be diffused, restoring a sense of normalcy into veteran’s and their family’s lives.
- What are the necessary tasks associated with a transition from combat soldier to civilian?
- How does one overcome the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life?
- What healing, if any, can a Veteran or their family hope to achieve?
There is HOPE …
Heroes & Horses – A Healing Combination
Life Skills Transition Program
A Pilot Program for OEF/IF Veterans
utilizing Equine Assisted Growth & Learning
Pathways Growth & Learning Center offers significant results in a shorter period of time due to the experiential nature of interacting with horses. On-the-ground activities mimic real life situations. This allows Veterans to “see” where skills are needed and to find solutions that work.
Pathways is committed to honoring the sacrifice many have made to protect our safety and our freedom.
All activities are conducted on the ground; there is no riding involved and no previous horse experience is necessary. A licensed therapist and an equine specialist are present at all times.
Benefits of Working with Horses
- Action, not talk—Learning through doing. Principles of healthy life skills are applied and practiced in the session.
- Solution-focused—Veterans are given the opportunity to find their own solutions to activities through hands-on experience; they learn to rely on themselves and their team members.
- Improved adaptability—Veterans must respond to the unpredictability and inability to “control” the horses and discover ways to make the relationship work.
- Fosters resilience—Veterans learn to adapt, improvise, and overcome perceived stressors as effectively at home as they do on the battlefield.
This Life Skills Transition Program consists of six group sessions that meet weekly for 90 minutes. Each group may have up to 6-8 members.
Are you ready to live a more effective life?
Call today for more information: 803.403.8469
