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Equine-Assisted Therapy for veterans and first responders

You were trained for service, but not for what comes later. 

 

At Berkman Academy, we support veterans and first responders to reconnect with themselves through movement, nature, and working with horses.

Image by Mathias Reding
"Equine Therapy was an incredible experience.
The time with the horses was eye opening and powerful."

You don’t have to talk.

This is a space where you don’t need to explain yourself. Where silence is respected. Where trauma isn’t treated as a problem to fix — but a part of your story we make room for.

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Some veterans walk beside the horse. Some feed, brush, or observe.
Some just sit in the paddock. No pressure. No judgement. No expectations.

 

We’re not here to analyse you. We’re here to help you come back into your body, your breath, and your life , one step at a time.

Image by Live Kaiah

Who It’s For

  • Veterans experiencing isolation, hyper-vigilance, shutdown, or emotional numbness

  • Those navigating PTSD, anxiety, depression, or post-service identity loss

  • Veterans seeking a practical, embodied alternative to traditional therapy

 

No prior experience with horses needed.
All physical abilities and fitness levels welcome.

Image by Alexander Mass

How it works

Horses don’t talk, but they notice everything. They respond to presence, clarity, and energy.
 

Working with them is a mirror, not of what’s wrong, but of what’s real.

 

Horses give instant feedback, without judgement. They help you feel safe again, at your own pace.

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  • Programs can be one-on-one or in pairs

  • Sessions take place outdoors, at our Bayswater property

  • Format can include movement, reflection, basic horse care, or quiet time with the herd

  • Run by a qualified male therapist and veteran

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Image by Lola Delabays

Group Programs

We run custom group programs for veteran and fisrt responder organisations.

 

These can include:

  • Half-day or full-day workshops

  • Ongoing group programs (e.g. 2 hours per week for 6–8 weeks)

  • Peer connection, structured activities, and individualised reflection

 

Each program is co-designed with your organisation to fit your people.

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Ready to start?

271 Bayswater Rd.

Bayswater North VIC

0405 689 210

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

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We recognize their deep and enduring connection to this land, water, and community, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

 

We honor the strength, wisdom, and culture of First Nations people and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

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