Staff Reports | Community Updates
Hunkapi Programs launched the second session of its first responder retreat program earlier this years, which marks an expansion its trauma‑informed, equine‑assisted approach to support individuals affected by high‑stress service roles.
The retreat supports first responders, active‑duty military members and veterans through experiential programming focused on nervous system regulation and stress reduction, according to a press release.
The full‑day military retreat includes two meals and guided somatic awareness techniques designed to address the physical and emotional effects of service‑related stress. Participants engage in experiential practices aimed at improving body awareness and emotional regulation.
The program incorporates guided interactions with horses to support reconnection with the body, emotional awareness and coping strategies for combat‑related and cumulative trauma. The retreat emphasizes peer support, presence and connection in a non‑clinical setting.
“Our first responders and military members carry an immense amount of responsibility and often internalize the stress of what they experience,” Terra Schaad, executive director of Hunkapi Programs, said. “This retreat creates space for them to slow down, regulate their nervous systems and reconnect with themselves in a way that feels safe, supportive and deeply restorative. The work with the horses allows for powerful, nonverbal healing that many participants say they’ve never experienced before.”
Hunkapi Programs continues to expand its retreat offerings as part of its broader mission to provide experiential, nontraditional support options for individuals serving in high‑risk and high‑stress professions.
