Specifically designed programmes for members of the armed forces including but not limited to: active duty, reconstitution, reservists, veterans and incoming recruits. We formulate group exercises that are explorative and supportive in nature to aid military personnel with transition typically associated with military life. On the ground activities with the horses are designed to mimic real life issues.
The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs estimates that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder afflicts as many as one-quarter of the troops returning from the Middle East, or about 300,000 men and women. The growing field of Equine Assisted Learning is showing great promise in treating veterans and their families who suffer from the nightmares, anxiety, depression, anger, irritability and other debilitating effects of this invisible, yet very real disability.
PROGRAMME ONE: Pre-deployment - Family Sessions can help soldiers, spouses, and children work through issues that may come up before deployment such as anxiety, feelings of isolation & being overwhelmed, grief, inadequacy & detachment.
PROGRAMME TWO: Deployment - During Deployment Families may continue to participate in sessions help to develop positive coping strategies for managing the transitions that take place in family dynamics after their spouse has been deployed. NZ-HALO will also help improve communication skills, decision-making skills, confidence, and teamwork.
PROGRAMME THREE: Reintegration to Civilian Life - Post-Deployment offers new challenges for soldiers and their families as they reintegrate into civilian life. Soldiers in combat are in a constant state of fight or flight. Horses have been existing in this state since they first appeared on earth. Horses are a prey species and are observing and adapting to their environment every second of the day. The herd works together to increase their chances at survival. This is a concept soldiers can immediately relate to. Soldiers in combat develop coping strategies such as detachment, numbing, denial, tunnel vision in order to emotionally protect themselves during deployment. As a result of the coping strategies soldiers must employ they may experience some or all of the following issues during reintegration: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, addictions, identity problems, anxiety/panic attacks, sleep disorders, grief, and anger management. NZ-HALO can help soldiers individually, in groups, or in family settings to overcome the challenges they face during reintegration.
