Funded by STAT through multiple sources of Veteran-focused service grants
Connect and grow alongside horses with a team approach involving STAT®'s herd and professional staff. Note that for no-cost programming, we rely solely on grant funds that are available to us. If there are no grant funds available, we will put you on a wait list. CURRENTLY: STAT has grants available through EAGALA.org and WWP. Once you submit this application - someone from our team will follow up within 2-3 business days.
Once your application is received, a member of the STAT® team will review it with care and reach out to discuss next steps. Participation typically begins with an initial session designed to introduce you to the horses, the environment, and our approach. Sessions are ground-based unless otherwise indicated and are paced according to your comfort level—there is no riding unless specifically discussed and approved. You will never be asked to share more than you are ready to share. Veterans may participate individually or in small groups, depending on program availability and funding. Above all, sessions are guided by choice, respect, and safety—for both you and the horses.
Veterans are at the heart of everything we do at STAT®.
STAT® provides equine-assisted services specifically designed to honor and support the unique experiences of Veterans. Our interdisciplinary team includes certified Equine Specialists, Mental Health Professionals, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists—many of whom are Veterans themselves or have immediate family members who have served in the Armed Forces. Service, respect, and understanding are not just values here—they are lived experiences.
We are honored to walk alongside Veterans in their healing, growth, and learning through Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). These services are made possible through grants and scholarships and are provided at no cost to the Veteran.
STAT® is a trauma-informed organization, and our team holds multiple professional certifications, including EAGALA, OK Corral, and EquiLateral. We understand how physical, emotional, and moral injury can impact trust, connection, and well-being. That understanding shapes everything we do—from how sessions are structured to how choice, pacing, and safety are honored.
Your privacy matters. Your story matters. All information shared with STAT® is handled with the highest level of confidentiality and respect. Your trust is paramount, and your information remains secure within STAT® at all times.
It is a privilege to serve those who have served.
As part of an EAGALA grant-funded program, Veterans may be invited to voluntarily complete brief, anonymous questionnaires. These surveys support an international research effort examining the impact of equine-assisted programs for Veterans.
Participation is completely optional. If you choose to participate, your identity will remain confidential—no names are used, and responses are linked only to a unique number. Questionnaires are typically offered before your first session and after your final session.
While optional, your participation helps strengthen research that supports and expands equine-assisted services for Veterans.
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is an experiential, educational approach that involves working alongside horses in a structured, ground-based setting. EAL focuses on skill-building, self-awareness, communication, emotional intelligence, and personal growth through interaction with the horse and the environment.
EAL is not therapy and not psychotherapy. It does not involve clinical diagnosis, treatment, or mental health counseling. Participants are not asked to process trauma, relive past experiences, or share personal histories unless they choose to do so on their own.
Horses naturally respond to human presence, behavior, and energy in real time. These interactions create opportunities for reflection, learning, and insight that many Veterans find meaningful and grounding. Sessions are guided by trained Equine Specialists and are designed to honor choice, safety, and individual pacing.
No prior horse experience is required.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a clinical mental health service that integrates licensed mental health treatment with structured, therapeutic interactions involving horses. EAP is designed to support Veterans in strengthening coping skills, improving emotional regulation, fostering adaptive thinking, and reducing psychological distress.
EAP may help address concerns such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, moral injury, and other service-related mental health challenges. Sessions are facilitated by a licensed Mental Health Professional in partnership with a certified Equine Specialist, forming a coordinated treatment team.
EAP is most effective when incorporated into an existing mental health care plan. Veterans currently receiving therapy are encouraged to speak with their provider about integrating EAP into their treatment. In some cases, a referral or clinical clearance may be required prior to participation.
STAT®’s EAP teams are fully certified through the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), and STAT® proudly holds the EAGALA Military Services Designation, reflecting our commitment to ethical, trauma-informed, and Veteran-centered care.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions are offered on Fridays and may be provided in an individual, family, spouse/partner, or small group format, depending on clinical appropriateness, program design, and availability. All EAP services are facilitated by a licensed Mental Health Professional in partnership with a certified Equine Specialist.
Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions are offered on Wednesdays or Thursdays and are conducted in a semi-private format, separate from other barn activities to ensure focus and safety.
Programs consist of a set number of sessions (typically eight). Sessions are generally scheduled on the same day and time each week to support consistency and continuity. We make every effort to accommodate your availability.
If a session must be canceled, STAT® will do its best to offer a make-up session within the same week, pending availability. Make-up sessions are not guaranteed and depend on scheduling capacity.
STAT® Inc. is a trauma-informed organization and follows the Five Guiding Principles of Trauma-Informed Care as outlined by Fallot & Harris, PhDs (2015): Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, and Empowerment. These principles guide how we interact with participants, structure sessions, and care for both people and horses.
SafetyWe prioritize physical and emotional safety at all times. Participants are gently screened for trauma-related considerations, as trauma can influence responses to horses, staff, and the environment. Sessions are paced intentionally, with safety guiding every interaction.
TrustworthinessOur staff are consistent, predictable, and transparent. Clear expectations and healthy physical and emotional boundaries are maintained to foster trust and reliability.
ChoiceParticipants are offered meaningful choices whenever possible, including horse selection, use of physical space, and level of interaction. Physical contact only occurs when necessary for safety (for example, assisting with equipment or footing), and emergency safety protocols are discussed in advance.
CollaborationParticipants and staff work together to establish goals that emphasize resilience, pacing, personal growth, and what the participant hopes to gain from the experience.
EmpowermentWe focus on strengths, encourage self-awareness, and support the development of coping skills. Our approach promotes confidence, autonomy, and a growth mindset.
We recognize that healing looks different for everyone.
We honor your pace, your boundaries, and your experience. T
he horses, through their calm presence and responsiveness, often provide an additional sense of grounding and reassurance.
This confidential application is reviewed only by STAT®’s CEO and a designated staff member. A member of our team will contact you within one week to schedule a brief phone call to discuss available programming and answer any questions you may have.
Veterans accepted into Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) are required to complete a telehealth (virtual) intake session prior to beginning services. Submission of this application does not guarantee acceptance into programming or establish a client relationship.
If you have questions at any time, please contact STAT® at 833-328-STAT (7828) or by email at cmarkosky@statinc.hush.com.
By submitting this form, you authorize STAT® staff to contact you by phone or email to discuss the information provided and relevant programming options.
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REMOVING BARRIERS TO HEALING FOR VETERANS SINCE 2007
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