Horses Helping Heroes (H3)
Listening to your horse and what they are communicating reminds me to take a step back and do that in real-life relationships and communication.
About
Established in September of 2016, Horses Helping Heroes (H3) is an Equine-Assisted Activity Learning and Therapy (EAAL/T) program offered free of charge to military Veterans and Active Service Members, First Responders, and National Guard Members.
Skills you may learn from equine-assisted learning and therapy include emotional regulation, self-confidence, improved communication and relationship skills, mindfulness, and many others. You will begin with non-riding horsemanship activities and can progress to riding and carriage driving.
Highly experienced equine horsemanship instructors lead the sessions. Some programs also partner with credentialed therapists and Veterans Affairs professionals to guide participants to explore, process, and solve their specific challenges in a safe and supportive environment.
Participation Requirements:
Military Veterans - Copy of DD 214
Active Service, First Responders & National Guard Members - active or retired work ID
Program Information
Horses Helping Heroes offers two programs for Veterans, Active Service Members, First Responders, and National Guard Members.
The Co-Ed program takes place on Wednesday evenings for six consecutive weeks and serves men and women in the same sessions. You will experience ground-based learning, mounted learning, and basic horsemanship. Your last day of the six-week session includes a carriage ride pulled by one of our draft horses and the opportunity to hold the lines and drive.
Horses Helping Heroes also offers a Carriage-Driving program on Tuesdays. In this one-on-one program, you will learn all about draft horses, how to properly harness them, and how to drive a draft horse on the ground and hitched to a carriage. By the end of your eight-week session, you will successfully be a team with your horse.
Registration
Register online by clicking here. Or contact us by email at JPEC_info@polkcountyiowa.gov or by phone at 515-999-2818.
Donate to support the Horses Helping Heroes Program
Working with horses in equine therapy was a positive experience for me. It felt good to have the ability to gain confidence & skill to convince another natural animal to trust me & follow my direction. Communication and body language is key.
Jester Park Equestrian Center strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to participate. If you anticipate needing a modification due to a disability or have questions about accessibility, please contact us at 515-999-2818 or jpec_info@polkcountyiowa.gov.