| Event | When | Location | Category | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equine Therapy and Veteran Support: Downstate Focus (dense population, urban/suburban coping) | Justice-involved veterans are former service members who have interacted with the criminal justice system, including being arrested, charged, or incarcerated. They often face unique challenges due to factors related to their military service, such as PTSD, substance use disorders, and homelessness, which can contribute to their involvement with the justice system, as a cycle. A significant number of veterans become justice-involved each year, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 180,000. Military service, particularly combat experience, can lead to mental health issues like PTSD and substance use disorders, which can increase the risk of justice involvement for some. With that in mind, it’s important to consider that some with service history additionally struggle with shame/guilt/regret and/or feelings of betrayal with regards to the cross section between military service and justice involvement. This can contribute to the risk of moral injury development, as well as general adjustment or reintegration issues as well. Justice-involved veterans can face unique reentry challenges, including finding housing, employment, and maintaining their health and well-being, at a higher rate than their veteran counterparts. Panelists (Brent Russell, Johnny Vargas, Manny Gomez, Greg Sanchez, and Preston Brown, TBD) will delve into their personal and professional experiences through an interactive panel to explore this topic further. (read more...) |
March 30th, 2026 1:00 PM through 3:00 PM |
(not available) | CEU Class | |
| Equine Therapy and Veteran Support: Upstate Focus (rural access and barriers) | This topic will focus on the use of equine therapy with veterans, in building trust and confidence, emotional regulation, and practical skills like mindfulness. There will be education as well as an interactive lived experience panel with a group of veterans, highlighting goals related to equine work, like reducing triggers, enhancing communication, and fostering healthy relationships and interactions through experiential learning with horses. Presenter and panelists will speak about achieving holistic mental health recovery for service members through progressive and experiential methods. We will look at statistics, clinical theories and applications, peer involvement, somatic work, and personal experiences related to equine support, specifically within the upstate community of more rural resources, where there may be built in barriers or service blockades. (read more...) |
March 31st, 2026 1:00 PM through 3:00 PM |
(not available) | CEU Class |
