Veteran Services
Since 2007, BraveHearts has been nationally recognized for providing equine-assisted services to Veterans primarily in the northern and southern Wisconsin areas and extends beyond the local community, serving Veterans nationwide. As the largest equine-assisted services (EAS) program for Veterans in the country, BraveHearts continues to strive to do more, reach more, and serve more. BraveHearts offers both recreational and mental health and wellness therapy services for Veterans. All services are offered at no cost to the Veteran and one accompanying, immediate member of his/her family/caregiver. BraveHearts partners with local VA’s, Veteran Service Organizations, and local programs with Veteran serving missions to provide innovative services using horses.
Recreational
Riding & Groundwork
The majority of Veterans who begin services with BraveHearts start by developing horsemanship in riding and/or groundwork lessons. Through participation the Veteran will develop horsemanship and riding skills such as learning to trot, canter, rein management, etc.
As Veterans increase their horsemanship and involvement with BraveHearts additional opportunities including clinics with world-renowned horsemen, trail rides, drill team participation, retreats, foundation horsemanship, horse shows, traveling events and the opportunities to become certified instructors, are available for Veterans to participate. Lessons are under the direction of a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Lessons promote independence and adaptive equipment (such as a hydraulic lift) are available, in needed.
Although the focus of these lessons are recreational, Veterans report receiving emotional, cognitive, social and physical benefits from participating.
Some benefits Veterans have reported, include:
- Increased self-esteem
- Increased self-worth
- Trust for others
- Community integration
- Decreased depression
- Decreased anxiety
- Decreaed post-traumatic stress attacks
- Decreased suicidal ideations and self-inflicting thoughts
Lesson details:
- Each lesson is scheduled in a 1-hour time block (Mon – Saturday) with availability at both of our locations.
- Veterans can participate in up to 2 lessons per week (totalling 2 hours)
- All lessons will be a group dynamic to include 2-4 additional riders (typically Veteran or Veteran family members)
- Working with an instructor, Veterans establish short and long-term riding goals
Mental Health & Wellness
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
BraveHearts’ outpatient clinic provides Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates unmounted and mounted activities with a licensed social worker and/or psychologist and an equine therapy partner. The therapy horse provides individuals with feedback by responding to an individuals’ thoughts, actions and energy. This feedback allows participants to further explore their own thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to facilitate emotional healing.
EAP Details
- Each EAP private session is scheduled in 1- hour timeslots on Thursdays and Fridays.
- The frequency of sessions are dependent on the Veteran and mental health clinician and is based on need.
- Typically sessions are scheduled, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
- EAP sessions are primarily completed privately, however Veterans are welcome to include an immediate family member to attend the session to meet therapy goals.
- Day Retreats and Groups are also available for Veterans to participate
%
of Veterans have reduced anxiety and more confidence
%
of Veterans discover better mindfulness
%
of Veterans regain trust
Get Started today
Contact us today to enroll in services by calling our Veteran Services Coordinator at
815.943.8226 or completing the form below:
If you do not live in IL or WI and need help finding a center like BraveHearts, near you, please contact us and we will help connect you.
