Equine therapy program for frontline workers

Mar 15, 2021 | 11:43 AM

Stressed out frontline workers are being offered some relief through horse therapy programs.

Workers in health care, law enforcement, emergency responders, care home workers, grocery store clerks, crisis line volunteers, pharmacists, and many more working the front lines are experiencing the pressures of the pandemic, day after day.

These frontline workers are also dealing with the same increased stresses in their personal lives as the rest of us, such as changes in household income, children and schooling hurdles, aging parents, and personal health issues – to name a few. Due to the increased demands the pandemic has had on the personal and professional lives of frontline workers, many are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.

The Front Line Hero Appreciation Initiative has been initiated by the Community Foundation North Okanagan in partnership with Central Okanagan Community Foundation, Community Foundation South Okanagan, Canadian Mental Health Association, and horse-assisted therapists across the region – as a way for the community to say thank you to frontline workers, by offering them a way to care for themselves.

“The idea came from a successful initiative in the lower mainland,” Leanne Hammond, executive director of the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan, said. “When we were approached to offer it here, it intuitively seemed like the right thing to do. We have donors who already champion equine-based therapy for stress alleviation and treatment of PTSD. As the COVID-19 situation continues the timing seems perfect to put this idea into motion for the entire Okanagan.”

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

20h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

21h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

23h ago

Program experts explain horses are known for their calming effects on people. Horse-assisted therapy is a proven method for treating people who are experiencing stress and anxiety for various reasons. Clients working with a professional therapist, who is also a horse expert, can grow their own emotional awareness and transfer the learning that takes place with the horses into their everyday lives. Horse’s sense what is going on “underneath the surface” and will respond accordingly.

“Whoever you are and whatever you are experiencing – being with horses offers you a new perspective to life,” Annika Voeltz, an experienced Horse-assisted Therapist, explained. “Horses communicate with your very core, so everything on the outside, whether it’s stress, distractions, or the layers you are putting on to protect yourself from life, simply seem to disappear and let you focus on your priorities.”

A similar program has been used successfully at the UBC-Okanagan campus to soothe over stressed students.

This partnership between the three Okanagan Community Foundations, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and horse-assisted therapists across the Okanagan region, is encouraging the community to support frontline workers by making a donation.

With support from the community, horse-assisted therapy can be offered to any frontline worker at no cost to them. Some things are hard to talk about, some things are hard to acknowledge, and some things just build without us even noticing. None of us should be dealing with mental health on our own, especially now and especially our frontline workers.

Donations are being accepted online at www.cfno.org, every $75 donation funds one appreciation session. The Community Foundation recommends nominating someone you know on the frontline, or leave it up to their team of Frontline Hero Appreciation Organizers to select someone who could benefit from a session.

by Kevin Rothwell

View Comments