HORSES and HEROES of Southeast Florida. Inc.
Connecting the Soul of a Hero with the Spirit of a Horse
Check out our gallery for the latest photos from our recent fundraiser
Our Mission
Our mission of Horses and Heroes of Southeast Florida, Inc. is to gently empower personal development in the lives of veterans and first responders, helping them to connect to a community through the benefits of equine-assisted learning (EAL).
Program Overview
The program at HHSEF is designed to help veterans foster a deeper sense of self through experiential training in horse language and herd behavior. This educational experience creates an environment in which the client can develop a keen awareness of . Healthy social boundaries related to safety and to human connection and in developing the ability to use somatic feelings in setting their own personal guidelines. This fundamental connection which the client builds with the horse has been shown to directly correlate with the development of self-confidence, sense of well-being and empowerment, thus leading to the installation of hope, meaningfulness and purpose for the veteran.
Equine-Assisted Learning
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach which promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional, and personal goals through equine-assisted activities.
The EAL Experience
The program is conducted on the premises of South Fork Stables in Palm City, Florida. Each session is conducted as a 1.5-hour group experience that meets once weekly for 8 weeks. Clients interact with one another and the equine specialist within a safe and friendly environment. Deep connections are developed between the horses and clients as well as amongst the members of the group. The clients learn tools and resources that can be used within everyday life. Self-awareness, resilience and personal growth are enhanced through the EAL experience.
Learning Objectives
Our goals are
- To improve self awareness, the ability to read body language, and to recognize the limits of healthy social boundaries.
- To gain a sense of empowerment through new experiences.
- To gain an increased understanding of what constitutes responsible partnerships.
- To learn to mindfully exist in the present.
To elevate feelings of wellbeing.