The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Helping Horse, a therapeutic horse farm in Wendell, N.C., to provide mental health support for deputies and staff who frequently face traumatic events. The program offers an eight-hour individual track where participants build connections with horses through horsemanship skills, mindfulness, and grounding techniques. Deputies like Angela Chastain have found the experience calming and restorative, helping them manage stress and anxiety after difficult shifts. The farm also welcomes families through its First Responders and Veterans Program, emphasizing the healing power of human-horse relationships.

This initiative addresses the critical mental health challenges faced by law enforcement, where officers encounter far more traumatic incidents than the average person and report high rates of PTSD. Despite increased awareness, many agencies lack adequate mental health responses, making programs like Helping Horse vital. The farm’s therapeutic environment, combined with clinical support and community partnerships, offers a unique outlet for first responders to process trauma, improve wellness, and reduce the risk of suicide within the profession.