LITTLE BLESSINGS VETERAN & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Little Blessings Veteran and Community Outreach is the only Veteran owned, Veteran focused, 50 week, individual, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in Monroe County Michigan and surrounding areas. Intentional programming provides, wellness, community integration and mental health services. “Suicide Prevention” methods are always at the forefront and always evolving! Post service Veterans and their families are met with unexpected, life threatening challenges that time after time, end in tragedy. Direct one on one interactions with Veterans and their families have given this organization an incredible insight to the many burdens, obstacles and challenges they encounter. There are limited resources available for the Veterans and even less for their families. Little Blessings in it’s short existence, has greatly impacted their community and Veterans that reside in it.

The Equine Assisted Development program, that is offered to the spouses and caregivers, is the only one in Monroe County and surrounding areas. These family members have an opportunity to learn self-care methods like setting healthily boundaries, realistic expectations and taking time for themselves, all why surrounding and engaging with the most majestic, highly intuitive animals around.

Little Blessings team members created and developed a “one of a kind”, not only in Monroe County Michigan, but in the country, Social Emotional Equine Assisted Learning (S.E.E.A.L) 18 week, military kids program. The ages range from 4-13 and the class size is from 10 to 12 children. Little Blessings, just completed it’s 2nd group of kids on 8 November 2021 and is already full for the upcoming Jan 2022 class.

Little Blessings Equine team has over 150 cumulative years of horse experience and well over 36,000 hours directly spent, one-on-one, understanding the behaviors and body language of these spectacular creatures. They are the only animal that offer a direct reflection of the emotions/feelings one is having at any given moment. The horses, no matter what program they are being used in, allow the Veterans and their families to be in a judge free space, learn to trust, and learn to move forward with self resolution, regarding their own mental and emotional stability.

Little Blessings in its’ discoveries, realized that these Veterans and their families needed more than a once a week visit to the farm. They started implementing wellness actives like women’s retreats, merging civilian woman and female veterans. This format allows for civilian integration and understanding from both sides. It is in this space where there is a common ground, that all women strive to achieve or conquer, such as goal setting or overcoming obstacles. Herd meditation, gardening and monthly social gatherings, are all additional opportunities these family have to engage and find “home”.

Little Blessings has a live broadcast called Warrior Spotlight that has Veterans, their families and local resources, reaching Veterans who are isolating and believe they are the only ones going through what they are enduring. Real life, unedited experiences are shared with the intention of connecting, offering a place for hope, and letting them know, they are never alone!