Standing Six: An Introduction
Equine Support for First Responders
In 2010, I resigned from a 14-year career as a police officer. I had excelled in my academy training, loved the challenges and the camaraderie of the work, and thrived on the opportunity to make a difference. After experiencing years of bullying and harassment from two colleagues, the daily risks and continued stress involved with police work took its toll. When the department failed to address my concerns—to take my complaints seriously—I felt I had no option but to leave permanently. Since resigning, I have learned much about myself. I have listened to the stories of others, researched the causes and effects of PTSD, and discovered that what happened to me is common among first responders. Although the reasons and experiences are varied, I understand how the accumulation of stress is slow and insidious. How it invades one’s personal life, physical health and self-esteem. Most importantly, however, I have learned how things can be different: how support does not have to be separate from service and how healing is not about toughing it out. When I felt the department offered no safe place to feel worthy, seen or understood, I found my own way to heal: I turned to my horses. After ten years of healing and growing, I feel ready to move forward with a dream I have had since first taking leave from the force. Together with my herd of equine facilitators, I offer Standing Six, a wellness program of hope, healing and respect.
