Pennsylvania Warhorse

Roughly 20 Veterans or active military a day commit suicide nationwide, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Veteran suicides account for 18% of all suicides in the United States.  Veterans make up less than 9% of the population.  About 70% of those who took their lives were not regular users of VA services.  
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First responders are usually the first on the scene to face challenging, dangerous, and draining situations. They are also the first to reach out to disaster survivors and provide emotional and physical support to them. These duties, although essential to the entire community, are strenuous to first responders and with time put them at an increased risk of trauma. We discuss the challenges encountered by first responders during regular duty as well as following disasters; shed more light on the risks and behavioral health consequences (such as PTS, stress, and depression) of serving as a first responder; and present steps that can be taken to reduce these risks either on the individual or institutional levels.

We believe Pennsylvania Warhorse will allow active military and 1st responders suffering from PTS and their families to seek the help they need without the stigma of visiting a mental health facility.  We are not “therapist” in the traditional sense of the term – we don’t re-hash the past trauma, we’re willing to discuss if they ask us to talk, equine-interspecies communication  allows for circuits to re-connect using the connections those suffering make with the horses.

1st Responders and Military DO NOT need a medical diagnosis to participate in Pennsylvania Warhorse. We will not inquire about diagnoses.  Pennsylvania Warhorse is available to service member of all ages and from any branch, whether or not they were deployed during service, and emergency personnel whether in the field or hospital.

If they experience:

• Trouble sleeping
• Nightmares
• Depression or Anxiety
• Issues with anger, drugs/alcohol, sustaining a healthy relationship
• Struggle with adjusting to civilian life
• Post-Traumatic Stress

The inter-species communication methods used have proven effective in helping humans deal with the stress of life’s challenges, build better relationships with their horses and families, and find a renewed value of their life.

​CO-THERAPY WITH YOUR CURRENT COUNSELOR/THERAPIST
Currently in counselling and have a therapist, but don’t feel comfortable sitting in a clinical atmosphere and talking?  We have EAP/EAL certified instructors available.  We can work with your current counselor/therapist to provide a number of sessions to supplement your current therapeutic work with Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)/Equine Assisted Learning (EAL).  Equine-assisted work honors the natural behavior or horses and herds.  Through EAP we entrust horses to show us the way back to health.  Our horses are more than a prop or canvas, they elicit patterns that facilitate and model natural behavior of the horse and herd as a possible solution or resource.  We can coordinate with your current counselor/therapist and provide sessions that compliment your current treatment goals.  Our equine professionals are certified in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy by The OK Corral Series and are trained to work with counselling professionals and collaborate on the best treatment plan.  This OK Corral Series does not include riding.  Ask your counselor/therapist about a referral to Pennsylvania Warhorse.  Pennsylvania Warhorse and your counselor/therapist will work out insurance  billing.