
ABOVE & BEYOND
Wellness Program with Horses for
First Responders, Public Safety Personnel and/or Military
Horse and peer supported trauma recovery & wellness that’s effective and completely different.
We’re passionate about serving those who serve others.
No riding, no trauma talk, and no need for a mental health diagnosis
Very small group format, maximum 5 participants
Delicious farm-to-table lunches prepared by Chef Aquila while at our scenic farm
Support that is confidential, effective, and completely different
This program is clinically supervised by psychologist, Dr. Steve Jett. Click here to learn more about Jett Psychological Services.
We welcome you whether you're deeply struggling, or just looking for some additional wellness tools.
“Lionheart”, pastel by Kim McElroy, is an important image in the work we do, helping us have the courage to feel and the willingness to act.
It’s no secret that maintaining wellness is one of the most difficult parts of the job as a first responder, public safety personnel, and/or military. So much so, that many of you have already gone on leave, or resigned.
We wouldn’t want to see you to step away from your job if you don’t have to. You desired to be of service and have a career working for the greater good, but the personal sacrifices of the job have taken their toll.
We can help you return to that career (if you choose), and stay in it to benefit from the retirement and rewards that you wanted and deserve. That’s why we created this program. You can keep your job and heal.
Or perhaps you’ve already stepped away. Whether you’ve retired, resigned, or are just not sure what to do, this program can help you move forward.
Access wellness tools with a new perspective that will transform your life and give you the sense of calm and peace you’ve been looking for. Explore all of this in a confidential, protected, and beautiful space with some of the best teachers and healers of all: Horses.
No horse riding, and no horse experience required.
FAQ
-
Talk therapy has its benefits, but for some people it also has some serious limitations.
Some of us struggle to talk or think our way out of the patterns that keep us stuck and hold us back.
In these cases, we need an approach that involves our body, and that teaches our nervous system how to regulate in a relational way.
That’s where equine facilitated therapy comes in.
(No riding. No horse experience required.)
Horses invite us to be present with them, take off our masks and armour, and explore relationship in a whole new way.
They help us embody different pathways in our nervous system and in our brain to help us get unstuck and feel more free.
Being human is hard. Learning to be a little more “horse-like” can help.
BLOGS TO LEARN MORE:
Equine Therapy: What It Is, Why It Works, and Its Impact on First Responders with PTSD
Why Horses? The Unique Role of Equine Therapy in Leadership and Trauma Recovery
Clarity, Connection & Courage: How Healing With Horses Can Transform Your Life
The Transformational Power of Horse Sense: How We Guide You to Be Who You’re Meant to Become
Relational Healing - What it Means and How it Applies to First Responders
-
No horse experience is required for your time at Horse Sense North.
There’s also no riding - we only work with them on the ground.
We’ve had many clients here who have never touched a horse, and we’ve also had Olympic level riders, and everything in between.
Our horses are safe and willing partners for this healing work, no matter your background with horses.
-
There is no riding offered at Horse Sense North.
All the activities are done on the ground.
The horses are also willing participants in the work we do. We know this because they volunteer for our sessions. We don’t pick them, they pick us. This makes the work safer and ethical.
-
If you’re feeling stuck and you’re ready for change, then this kind of horse work is a great option to consider.
Often, people who are deeply struggling come to us after trying nearly everything else. They end up finding so much relief in their time with the horses. It gives them more clarity, connect and courage in finding a direction forward.
You don’t have to wait until you’ve exhausted all your other options. You can choose to book a horse session today, even if you’re simply searching for some extra wellness tools.
This kind of healing work with the horses can help us thrive in all areas of life. Some examples of that would be:
Deepening our sense of self-worth and empowerment
Enhancing our connection with our authentic self
Developing secure attachments to ourselves and others
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, sign up for our program waitlist HERE, or contact us HERE to book a free discovery call.
-
Equine Facilitated Therapy can help us with struggles such as:
Generally feeling stuck
Anxiety
Depression
Post traumatic stress
Low self-esteem/self-worth
Grief
Hyper-vigilence
Relationship challenges (personal or professional)
Emotional dysregulation/Nervous system dysregulation
If you’re wanting a new approach that is effective and efficient, sign up for our program waitlist HERE.
-
This program has supervision from clinical psychologist, Dr. Steve Jett. Learn more about Jett Psychological Services HERE.
Horse Sense North Founder and Director, Carmen Theobald (she/her) is a coach and facilitator with extensive experience working with horses and humans. She has worked with thousands of horses as a farrier since 2008, and hundreds of individuals, teams and organizations since 2015, focusing on vulnerable populations and complex trauma, particularly with public safety personnel.
Carmen is an Advanced Eponaquest Instructor (internationally recognized program for Equine Facilitated Learning), and holds many additional certifications including Connection Focused Therapy.
Lee Merkley (they/them) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). They have a background in addictions recovery and residential treatment centres, and have specialized in working with first responders, active military, veterans, and other public safety personnel.
Lee has been supporting Equine Facilitated Therapy sessions since 2022, and they are now Horse Sense North’s Clinical Director.
-
Protect your feet with closed toed shoes (no sandals)
Wear in comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Dress for the weather, and bring an extra layer in case the temperature shifts
Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated
Consider bringing slippers for time in the yurt (for our human time :)
We encourage you to take a technology break and keep you phone on silent while you’re here
-
We have a partnership with the Huntsville Comfort Inn, and your stay will include breakfast. Huntsville is also a great little town to pick a restaurant for dinner.
Lunches will be provided on the farm by our on-site Chef, Aquila.
-
This depends on funding availability and requirements. Please sign up for our waitlist HERE, and we will contact you when we have a program available.
Who This Program Is For
Above & Beyond recognizes a wide spectrum of first responders.
This program is open to you even if you’re no longer in the field.
This includes:
Military & Veterans
Police Officers
Paramedics
Fire Fighters
Dispatchers
Correctional Services
Special Constables
Border Service Officers
Emergency Room Staff (Physicians, Nurses)
Social Workers
Funeral Directors
Programs will be available depending on funding availability and requirements.
Foundations Of This Program
Above & Beyond is strongly rooted in Polyvagal informed principles, and was created in collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Bailey and the Polyvagal Equine Institute (PVEI). It is also rooted in Connection Focused Therapy and Trainings, HeartMath research and bio-feedback, Eponaquest Worldwide certifications, and Linda Kohanov’s The Five Roles of a Master Herder. All aspects of our programs are created to help regulate the nervous system, and increase a sense of embodiment, empowerment and wholeness. This is accomplished through a combination of human/human, and horse/human experiences. Protected spaces, that are confidential, trauma informed and inclusive, allow participants to experience the safety and connection that we need and deserve to heal and grow. This program is always offered in partnership with a mental health professional.
Click here to see supporting research for Equine Facilited Therapy.
Apply for this program and join our waitlist
If you want to participate in Above & Beyond, please apply by clicking the button below.
Joining our waitlist for this program does 2 very important things:
Ensures that you will be the first to be notified when a program opportunity becomes available.
Helps us secure funding to make more programs available.