Helene Rousse

Horse-assisted Support for Humanitarians Working in humanitarian contexts often means being exposed to prolonged stress, uncertainty, responsibility, and emotionally demanding situations. While caring for others, it can sometimes become difficult to remain connected to oneself, one's needs, and one's own resources. Equine-assisted sessions offer a safe and experiential space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and support nervous system regulation through the relationship with the horse. Horses, through their sensitivity and authentic responses, offer immediate and non-judgemental feedback. They allow participants to explore their patterns, their responses to stress and their resources through lived experience, beyond words. Individual sessions are available for humanitarian workers and first responders seeking support, prevention, recovery, or a space to reconnect. Group sessions are facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of three equine-assisted practitioners, bringing together expertise in psychosocial support, trauma-informed approaches, and humanitarian experience. Our approach is grounded in trauma-informed principles and draws on Natural Lifemanship, a relationship-centred model focused on connection, regulation, and experiential learning, as well as the TEOH protocol developed by CoCreate Humanity with psychologist and equine therapist Catherine Padovan. With backgrounds in the humanitarian and psychosocial fields, we have witnessed both the commitment of those who dedicate themselves to helping others and the impact prolonged exposure to stress can have. This experience has led us to develop an approach dedicated to supporting those who support others. No previous experience with horses is needed. The work focuses on the relationship and what emerges in the interaction, not on horsemanship skills.