First Responders Wellness Program

 The Lift Me Up! Wellness Center in rural Great Falls, VA, is a place of respite from the stress of everyday life in a serene environment. We offer unmounted sessions to individuals and groups. Participants work with our trained horses and instructors in group exercises to improve self-awareness and building confidence learned through herd behavior. Our first wellness programs were dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of first responders. Through the success of this program, we have evolved our program to include at-risk youth and adults, senior living residents, and veterans. 

TESTIMONIAL

 "First responders deal with both acute and cumulative trauma throughout their career. Multiple recent studies show that police officers, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers and dispatchers all deal with elevated rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide due to the traumas they endure on a daily basis. Lift Me Up! provides a tranquil setting for public safety professionals to decompress, remove stress and learn about communication, trust, and leadership. It also allows for first responders of the same or different disciplines to spend time together outside of work while engaging in a healthy activity. Many first responders are skeptical and leery of traditional counseling or therapy sessions. Being able to spend time outside with each other and the horses in a pleasant setting is not traditional “therapy" but working with animals has been shown to have positive effects for those who suffer from PTSD, depression, and/or or hypertension. This is a great alternative way for officers to get some relief from their work and spend time with animals, which many enjoy. Lift Me Up! provides a positive and calming outlet for our officers to become healthier for themselves, their families, and the communities that they serve." -- David Giroux, Arlington County Deputy Chief of Police

Contact Program Director Jackie Collins (jackie.collins@liftmeup.org) to inquire about the wellness equine services we offer.