Veterans & First Responders Program
Fostering community, confidence, and communication through equine-assisted activities for active duty military, veterans, and first responders.
When veterans & first responders arrive at Healing with Horses Ranch, many carry the unseen weight of service-related stress, trauma, or transition. Navigating life beyond duty can feel isolating, especially when physical & emotional challenges may not show up on a medical chart. Our equine-assisted programs offer a steady, non-judgmental space where connection, regulation, and trust can begin to rebuild. Thanks to the support of our community, veterans & first responders receive these services at no cost, ensuring that asking for help never comes with a financial barrier.
We are actively seeking sponsors & in-kind donations to support this program. Please email our Development Director at rebekah.fookes@healingwithhorsesranch.org and/or Veterans Program Coordinator at hannah.west@healingwithhorsesranch.org for more information.
About the Program
Healing with Horses Ranch is proud to offer veterans, first responders, and active duty individuals adaptive riding & equine-assisted learning services completely free of charge. Participants develop a bond of partnership through horsemanship & riding, focusing on improving communication, reintegration techniques, and coping skills.
Transition
Many veterans & first responders return from duty carrying physical & emotional wounds. Whether from combat zones, emergency scenes, or prolonged exposure to trauma, adjusting to everyday life can be difficult. Our program uses horses to support that transition.
In each session, bonding activities are designed so the horse looks to the participant for guidance and a sense of safety. This shifts the focus away from stress and onto the present moment. Participants build trust & connection through subtle, nonverbal communication rooted in patience & consistency. That relationship helps regulate emotions & encourages confidence, often leading to faster recovery or better adaptation to conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Together, the horse and participant work on relaxation, memory, patience, confidence, physical wellness, and focus. These skills extend far beyond the arena and into daily life.
Meet Our Herd
Healing with Horses Ranch is a PATH International Premier Riding Center. Our instructors & equine specialists, all of whom are PATH certified, believe deeply in the transformative power of the horse-human connection, and the ability for individuals from all backgrounds to improve their emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities.
The horses, our greatest teachers, are the center of our team. We partner with a variety of breeds, shapes, and personalities of horses to meet the diverse needs of our riders. Every member of our herd is part of the family for life. In 2025, we became an equine sanctuary, which means each horse will live out their days here, whether or not they’re actively involved in programs. While we are not a rescue, once an equine is here, they can rest assured that this is their forever home.
A Standard of Excellence
Healing with Horses Ranch is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International center that provides evidence-based, trauma-informed services led by certified professionals. PATH certifies & accredits centers, instructors, and equine specialists based on field-tested standards to ensure safety, ethics, and effectiveness in the equine-assisted services industry. To become certified, instructors must complete workshops, fulfill student teaching requirements, and pass both written & practical exams.
Founded in 2011 as a PATH-compliant center, we underwent a voluntary peer review in 2018 and successfully met the accreditation requirements to become a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center. This designation allows us to be recognized in the community for upholding PATH’s highest standards & enables us to train other centers.