Heroes and Horses: A Worthwhile Charity

Overview of Heroes and Horses

• Heroes and Horses is a nonprofit based in Gallatin Valley, Montana dedicated to helping combat veterans redefine their purpose through outdoor adventures without traditional medicines.
• The organization utilizes 40-day horse-packing expeditions in remote wilderness areas as a method of therapy for veterans coping with PTSD and other war-related stress disorders.
• Veterans partner with wild mustangs, providing new purpose for horses previously held in government facilities.

Program Structure and Activities

• Veterans undergo wilderness training to develop resilience, leadership, and self-sufficiency.
• Participants are matched with mustangs for the duration of the program, engaging in a relationship-building process with the animal.
• The program offers four to six-week internships with outdoor-focused organizations upon graduation.

Organizational Philosophy and Culture

• Heroes and Horses emphasizes selflessness, humility, integrity, and innovative thinking as core organizational values.
• Employees are expected to be forward-thinking, team-oriented, and dedicated to the changing lives of veterans.

Challenges and Community Impact

• The use of wild mustangs is a response to political issues surrounding their management by the Bureau of Land Management.
• Heroes and Horses helps veterans transition to civilian life, providing tools and skills necessary for independence.
• The community is positively impacted through the reintegration of veterans equipped with new skills and perspectives.

Employment and Volunteer Opportunities

• Heroes and Horses collaborates with Montana State University to offer unpaid internships that provide students with valuable real-world experience and the opportunity to gain college credit. These internships are integral to fostering practical learning, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the organization’s mission of resilience and healing through horsemanship and wilderness therapy. Interns engage in dynamic roles that align academic goals with meaningful contributions to the nonprofit’s operations, offering insights into nonprofit management, therapeutic program facilitation, and transformative community work. This unique opportunity combines education with purpose, enabling students to make a tangible impact while advancing their academic careers.

• The organization is located in Belgrade, Montana, with opportunities for both local and out-of-state volunteers.

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