The primary mission of Heroes Helping Horses | Horses Healing Heroes (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. 6H is not necessarily a horseback riding program and is open to all ages and abilities. 6H is more about interaction and building trust with the animal while giving our heroes an opportunity to release and reconnect their emotions while enjoying the company of like-minded individuals who have been through similar events and a lifestyle only we can truly understand. Horses have a gift of empathy; they feel what you feel. You can hold your emotions from a human therapist; you cannot lie to a horse.

Our Great Nation sent them to the most hostile areas on planet Earth; we need to take care of them when they come home. Mental health of our heroes is a stigma most of us do not like to talk about, but is a real epidemic. On average, 22 veterans a day succumb to anxiety, depression, personal feelings of lack of worth or purpose and decide taking their own lives will make life better for those around them. This is the wrong answer. Suicide does not solve problems; it only spreads the problems to those around you. When surveyed, 33% of returning veterans coming home say they have contemplated taking their own lives. 6H is here to help our heroes release and reconnect, realize their life did serve a purpose with their service, we love them for their sacrifices and want to remind them that they are not forgotten.

There is more to tell as to why this endeavor is personal and very important to us, the program founders. LeeAnn’s father was a Vietnam Army Veteran. He has since passed away and holds our utmost respect for his service. Vietnam was a rough time to be a service member, both at home and abroad. Rob's Grandfather was an Army medic during the Korean War, who has also since passed away (with two bronze stars). Rob joined the Marine Corps and served 6 years then retired from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after 16 years of additional service, for a total of 22 years. Rob served overseas in Bosnia-Herzegovina and during the most kinetic times in Ramadi, Iraq (2005) and Asadabad, Afghanistan (2007) as mechanized and light Infantry. One of Rob's additional assigned roles while serving the in PA Army National Guard was a suicide prevention officer at the company level

While the primary objective of 6H is in providing emotional and mental health support for Veterans, Law Enforcement and First Responders in healing through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, there is a residual effort that comes along with this cause. All equine used for the program are rescue horses. 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. Once acclimated, deemed suitable and safe for the program, the horses will be introduced and integrated into the program. The goal is heroes will be able to observe and interact with the horses in an open setting under supervision from equine specialists and certified mental health professionals.

Equestrian Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a proven method. If our efforts can keep one of our heroes on track from becoming a statistic, it has been time and money well purposed. Heroes Helping Horses | Horses Healing Heroes (6H) is a necessary addition to Lycoming County and North Central region of Pennsylvania.