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CareForTheTroops is always in search of good content that can be useful to military families, therapists, congregation leaders, or any visitor to this web site.
The content can be original or found on the internet where we can link to it ... it's an opportunity to be creative and helpful at the same time. Please send to cftt@careforthetroops.org
Training Development
• Fraser Counseling Center
Non-Profit Opns Mentoring
• Pathways Comm Network
Mental Health Providers
• EMDR Clinicians of GA
• Marriage and Family
Therapists (GAMFT)
Congregation Outreach
• Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
• Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
• The Presbytery of Greater
Atlanta & Presbyterian
Women
• Catholic Charities and the
Archdiocese of Atlanta
• The Georgia Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship (CBF)
• The Lutheran ELCA
Southeast Synod
ON-LINE TRAINING
Now available on this website via Alliant University's Continuing Education Post-Combat Behavioral Health Certificate Program
Alliant University has developed a comprehensive suite of classes to help prepare clinicians to work effectively with today's returning vets and their families. Delivered online, the classes are convenient, informative, engaging.
Learn more from the ON-LINE TRAINING page on this website. You can register or get additional information from the Alliant registrar, Eric Melendez: emelendez@alliant.edu 415-955-2029
About Equine Assisted Activities
Introduction:
Appreciating the power of the horse to change lives is the motivation behind Equine-Assisted Activities. Using the power of Equine-Assisted Activities to aid in the rehabilitation of Wounded Warriors is the work being undertaken by therapeutic and recreational riding centers around the United States, as a way to give back to those who have given so much to our country.
There are 2 national accreditation centers that ensure safety and effectiveness standards. NARHA and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association ) work to provide instructor certification and programs, e.g. Horses For Heroes.
Georgia is fortunate to have a number of certified centers (NARHA 30+; EAGALA 5+). Those that have agreed to be displayed on the CareForTheTroops website are listed below. Horses For Heroes is a program specifically designed to help active duty, returned veterans, and civilian contractors deal with their rehabilitation from injuries and disabilities, including physical, psychological, and emotional. It is not only beneficial for the veteran, but also for spouses, parents, children, and extended family members.
To view a YouTube video of the Horses For Heroes Program conducted in Sante Fe, NM - - - CLICK HERE
Don't forget, if you are so inclined to seek out a therapist trained to help with individual or family issues, use our database on this web site by clicking on the FIND A THERAPIST button on the top right side.
Key Links for Further Research:
• NARHA Home Page
• NARHA Horses For Heroes Program
• EAGALA-Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
• Project Healing Horse
Additional Information About Equine-Assisted Activities
Benefit Found Through Research
Research shows that Wounded Warriors who participate in equine-assisted activities can experience physical, emotional, and psychological rewards. Participants with impaired mobility experience increased balance, muscle control, and strength. Riding motivates participants with learning or intellectual impairments (e.g. TBI), and helps to increase concentration, calmness, and independence. Much of this is done through partnerships with supportive military related organizations and communities, so veterans, civilian contractors, and active duty military are key to the success of the programs. They serve as horse leaders, side-walkers, morale boosters and program volunteers. To learn more about the program, or a program near you, click on the links above.
Articles
• NARHA I will never leave a fallen comrade.
• Stars and Stripes - Wounded Veterans get back in the saddle
• CBS News - The horses of Arlington
List of Centers
The following Centers are NARHA and/or EAGALA certified or have instructors who are certified by the one or both of these Associations. If interested in participating in one of these programs, either as an individual, family, or part of a group organized by a hospital, congregation, or other support organization, please make contact using the Contact Information shown below.
Calvin Center - Hampton, GA
| Full Address: | 13550 Woolsey Road, Hampton, GA 30228-2219 |
| Contact Info: | Sara Reams | (678) 438-3116 | Fax (770) 946-4191 | e-mail: saracchfh@gmail.com |
| Programs: | Calvin Center's Horses for Heroes Program is a military serving military program, with not only program participants, but also all volunteers being active-duty or retired military. The program is offered at no cost to participants. In addition, the Calvin Center offers a variety of programming, including summer camp, mission work camp, equestrian programs, CELP (Calvin Environmental and Leadership Program), Global Village, team-building and challenge courses, retreat facilities and facilitation, field trip opportunities for schools, and many other opportunities for custom-tailored programs. See a video of Chastains's work Click Here |
| Nearby Counties: | Fayette, Henry, Clayton, Spalding, Pike, Coweta, Fulton, Dekalb |
| Description: | Calvin Center is a year-round Conference, Retreat and Camping Center uniquely situated in a natural setting of 548 acres, located an hour south of downtown Atlanta. As a ministry of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta (PCUSA) Calvin Center offers a welcoming sanctuary for re-creation and Christian nurture. |
| Website Link: | www.calvincenter.org |
Chastain Horse Park - Atlanta, GA
| Full Address: | 4371 Powers Ferry Road Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30327-3420 |
| Contact Info: | Leslie Olsen, RN, Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Horses and Heroes | 770-330-0506 | e-mail: lholsen@bellsouth.net |
| Programs: | Chastain Horse Park, a premier NARHA accredited center located in the heart of Atlanta, is proud to be a part of the Horses for Heroes Program. Chastain offers both mounted and non-mounted therapeutic lessons to help strengthen both the mind and body. Our brave service personnel have been fighting to preserve our freedom and the Horses for Heroes Program would like to give back by offering the amazing healing power a horse can provide. |
| Nearby Counties: | Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, Forsyth, Cherokee |
| Description: | Chastain Horse Park stands proudly as one of Atlanta's finest equestrian facilities, located in the heart of a powerful and diverse business and recreational community. The Buckhead site's proximity to established residential areas and schools dictates its importance as an influential asset to the area. The horse park includes four barns and four arenas serving the equestrian programs, and a Clubhouse which houses offices, banquet facilities and a photography studio. Barn managers reside on the premises. The therapeutic program offers lessons to both children and adults and includes a hippotherapy program staffed with physical therapists and occupational therapists. |
| Website Link: | www.chastainhorsepark.org | ...also see... | www.h4hchastain.org |
Classic Equestrian Assisted Family Services - Dublin, GA
| Full Address: | 715 James Currie Road, Dublin, GA 31021 |
| Contact Info: | Susan B. Jung, M.Ed., Ed.S. Licensed Professional Counselor, EAGALA Certified| 478-274-0037 | |
| Programs: | Warriors on the Trail to Recovery - Programs for Veterans and their Families — Herd (Horse) Sense: Using eight characteristics of horses (intuition, sensitivity, change, presence, non-aggressive attitude, determination, humility, and passion), sessions are de-signed for the displaced veteran to improve job skills and social interaction in their re-entry into life. — Taming the Wild Horse ©: Using a proven training manual from Dr. Joe Lancia, sessions will focus on “helping Wounded Warriors deal with the transition from military service to civilian life.” — Women (or Men) of Warriors: Sessions will focus on helping the warrior’s spouse meet the challenges around deployment and/or return of their warriors. — Colts and Fillies ©: Sessions will focus on helping children navigate through military tran-sitions with their families. — Round-Up at the Corral: A day-long retreat at the arena will build confidence and resiliency. |
| Nearby Counties: | Dodge, Treutlen, Telfair, Wilkinson, Johnson, Bleckley, Wheeler |
| Description: | Classic Equestrian Assisted Family Services, Inc. (CEAFS) is located on a small southern farm in rural Georgia. Since its establishment in April 2000, CEAFS has served hundreds of individuals and families. CEAFS has recently expanded services to provide quality mental health and educational programming for children, youth, and adults of military families. CEAFS is owned by David J. Currie, Jr., LMFT. He and Susan Jung, LPC, comprise the mental health treatment team. David and Susan are EAGALA Certi-fied and in conjunction with the EAGALA Certified equine specialists, lead EAGALA Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions. Their equine partners include four quarter horses and one pony ranging in age from 13 to 35 years old. |
| Website Link: | www.classicfamilyservices.com |
