Veterans Equine Therapy Program
Donation protected
Elysian Fields Equestrian Center (EFEC), located in Montoursville, PA is introducing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) as part of our services. The program is pending 501(c)(3) non-profit status and will be called Heroes Helping Horses | Horses Healing Heroes (6H).
"People of all ages and backgrounds may benefit from EAP such as individuals with behavioral issues, Attention Deficit Disorder, anger management, conflict resolution, relationship problems, couples therapy, depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, eating disorders, at-risk youth, victims of abuse, those in bereavement, those lacking self-esteem, people who are unresponsive to traditional therapies, and people with other mental health challenges. EAP is also used for corporate retreats, group and family sessions." - Psychology Today
The primary focus of 6H is dedicated to helping Veterans, Law Enforcement and First Responders living with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, for whom the program is free of charge. For others, in some cases, EAP may be covered under some insurance plans if prescribed by a professional practitioner or doctor.
In addition to the EAP program, we see many requests for horses needing re-homed and have decided we are dedicating 15 of our open stalls for this cause. Part of the horses’ rehabilitation is as a therapist in order to focus on those who may benefit from Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Our equine clients and our human clients have something in common, in some way or another; both have seen some form of uncertainty in life. We are here to help them as they will help one another.
We have been working with various clients with forms of autism, physically disabled, depression, anxiety and Down’s syndrome and have seen some very positive results. Though, EAP is not necessarily a riding lesson program, simply interacting with the horses on the ground has proven to be very therapeutic. I can personally vouch for the benefits our horses have to give. With my military service background (though I have not been officially diagnosed with PTSD) the signs are all there for me and when I am feeling overwhelmed, the horses have always been there to help me to release and reconnect with where I need to be, mentally and emotionally.
WHERE WILL FUNDING GO?
We understand we are asking for your hard earned money and want you to be confident with your donation while we are very transparent on how we intend to put your contributions to work for such a great cause helping to heal our heroes and rescue some horses in the process. We are very humbled by every contribution we receive and will put it to good use.
ALL funding will be utilized for the sole purpose in order to logistically and financially support Heroes Helping Horses | Horses Healing Heroes (6H). The groundwork has been set with an already operational and very large horse boarding and training facility. The addition of a project of this magnitude will require expansion and additional resources to be as successful as we know we can be.
For the Heroes, mostly, we need to reach out and make it known we are here for them. Advertising in the forms of social media and word of mouth yield very high results for the dollar spent. Other forms of digital advertising, radio and paper advertising are also beneficial, but at a greater monetary cost. Miscellaneous supplies will also be needed, such as tack, lead ropes, halters, brushes, etc. We expect to see most of this donated through our many friends throughout the equine industry and do appreciate every piece we receive.
The physical expansion includes the subdividing and fencing in of approximately 12-15 acres of open pasture into smaller pastures on the property for the additional horses to graze; additional run-in shelters will also have to be built for the new pastures. Support for transportation of the new horses to the facility in the form of vehicle maintenance and fuel costs for local runs or paid professional transportation for cross country transport.
We will not be going out and purchasing $20,000 thoroughbreds, for example. Most of the horses we will be fostering for the program will be donated at little to no charge. These will be horses that are neglected, undesirable or can no longer be cared for by the owner. Such animals may come to us with physical conditions requiring additional medical care, special feed and supplements or even blindness. In addition to feeding hay, grain, supplements and medication, there will also be medical costs, routine farrier work and vaccinations associated with these animals. These are the costs that are commonly overlooked when a new owner purchases a horse resulting in the many forfeitures that we see. We need to ensure the horses are covered for these expenses prior to bringing them into our facility.
Summary:
1. What we WILL do:
a. Advertise EAP services for Veterans, Law Enforcement and First responders through social media, digital advertising, flyers, mailings, and paper advertising.
b. Provide EAP services to Veterans, Law Enforcement and First responders at No Charge and provide the same to others referred by a professional practitioner or doctor for a monetary fee or in exchange for volunteer work on the farm.
c. Provide a safe and stable living environment and care for rescue equines in need of a home, special care, or rehabilitation with the potential for adoption to a 'forever home'.
d. Background checks for all animals coming in for rescue and all future adopters who wish to adopt a horse from our facility into their lives on or off the premises.
e. Work with officials at all levels in order to provide support in the local, state and national equine and veteran community.
f. Last but far from least; For the Heroes, I got your six . . . Always!
2. What we WILL NOT do:
a. We will not turn down any Veteran, Law Enforcement or First Responder in need. If we are unable to help them through EAP, we will find someone who can by other means.
b. We will not make frivolous purchases that are not a necessity for the EAP program or for the care of the horses. Ie, we will not be purchasing unnecessary items we do not need such as a brand new $70,000 truck, high-end pedigree horses, or extravagant horse trailers or equipment. The horse does not care if the latest and greatest rig is towing them and we are humble enough to be satisfied that the vehicle is safe, DOT legal and mechanically sound enough to do the job.
c. We will not sell horses to auctions, kill-pens or any other than those looking to provide a safe and permanent forever home for the animal. There will be a stipulation in place that, if for any reason, the animal can no longer be cared for, they shall be returned to our facility or approved transfer of ownership to another who can provide for them.
d. We will not euthanize any animal due to a set time of residency, any form of inconvenience or for any other reason than due to the best interest of the animal in order to end pain and suffering which hinders quality of life. If not adopted, the horse will remain under our care for as long as we are able to provide for them for the duration of their natural life.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Improving mental health for individuals by providing a means to release and reconnect through quality Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, comradery and a judgment free learning environment. You can bluff your therapist; you cannot lie to a horse. A horse knows what you know and feels what you feel.
ABOUT THE VENUE:
DELIGHTFUL-GLORIOUS-BLISSFUL
Elysian Fields Equestrian Center is a beautiful hilltop placed 40-acre 24/7 full access horseback riding and training facility located 5 miles North of Walmart in Montoursville, PA. In addition to blissful scenery for miles, boarders enjoy our 14,000 square foot (70x200) indoor arena with viewing area and 20,000 square foot (100x200) outdoor arena, ample tack space, multiple grooming bays, indoor heated restroom, kitchen break area, a friendly drama-free atmosphere and on property trails!
Horses enjoy daily cleaned bedded and matted 12x12 stalls, professional full-care, blanketing when required, customized Stud-Free small group turn-out schedules in one of our 3 large pastures or one of our 3 smaller paddock areas, heated warm water bathing suite, up to 3 daily feedings, choice of water buckets or troughs, and your choice of grain.
At Elysian Fields Equestrian Center, the owners live on site and are always available for your needs and for the needs of your horses. We will care for your horses as if they were members of our own horse family. We are insured and have our own Veterinarian and Farrier services on call which owners may take advantage of for group rates, or you are more than welcome to use your own veterinarian or farrier.
We also offer military/first responder discounts and a referral program.
I would love to discuss the EAP program with you further and gather your input. Feel free to visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElysianFieldsEC or our or our website at www.ElysianFieldsEC.com
The 6H social media account just recently launched:
https://www.facebook.com/6H.EFEC
And, the website is in development and will be up and running soon.
If you would like to schedule a tour of our facility, meet some horses and see what we have to offer, that would be even better!
ABOUT THE OWNERS:
LeeAnn and Rob Schnars purchased the property currently known as Elysian Fields Equestrian Center in October of 2017. LeeAnn and Rob operate the facility and care for the horses. Professionally, LeeAnn’s background is in Cardiology with over thirty years of horse experience in caring for, riding, competing and showmanship.
LeeAnn was born and raised in Colorado and has been riding since she could sit up. She was born and raised around horses. She participated in Westernaires from the age of 9 until she was 18. In which time she rode with as well as showed precision drill teams, trick riding, vaulting, drove chariots, circus dressage, trick roping and a precision bull whip team.
LeeAnn started showing with SQHA at the age of 12. She has accumulated numerous ribbons and winnings over her 30 years of experience. She rode in the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo for 9 years and has competed in numerous gymkhanas doing barrel racing, pole bending, key hole, and flags. She found a love for mounted archery in 2013 and endurance trail competitions
Rob was born and raised locally to the farm in Pennsylvania. Rob's background is in Civil/Structural and Mechanical Engineering and is retired military, having served the United States Marine Corps for six years and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for sixteen years as both mechanized and light infantryman with combat tours to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and to Afghanistan.
Together, we have a passion for helping horses in need of good homes, find their forever homes. And, dedication to our Veterans, Law Enforcement and First Responders. We have worked with numerous rescue organizations in Colorado and work closely with the local rescues here in Pennsylvania including the great folks at PSPCA of Danville and Appalachian Horse Help and Rescue of Linden, PA.
Our facility has 42 stalls and 40 acres of land. The most horses we have had on the property is 28 since we purchased the property two years ago. Currently, we have 19. This leaves many open stalls that could be put to much better use. With your help, we can dedicate 15 of those stalls to use with our program for Heroes Helping Horses | Horses Healing Heroes (6H).
With much gratitude, thank you for reading! Thank you for your donations! And, Thank you for sharing!
Miscellaneous Photos:
Organizer
Robert Schnars
Organizer
Montoursville, PA
