The mission is to help Veterans, first responders, at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations find healing through the experience of Monty Roberts’ globally acclaimed Join-Up® and other equine-assisted activities.

2022 has been an exciting year for the cause. In addition to celebrating 25 years of service this month, Join-Up International programs have exponentially increased the number of equine-assisted programs from six to fourteen annually, helping over 120 Veterans, first responders and at-risk youth find healing through their ground-breaking programs with horses.

But it’s not all good news … America’s first responders are in crisis!

Did you know, American first responders are significantly more likely to die from suicide than in the line of duty?
[Source: Ruderman Foundation]

Untreated post-traumatic stress (PTSD) is also the leading cause of death among U.S. Veterans, with an average of 22 suicides per day. [Source: US Dept of Veterans Affairs]

Researchers (Boffa et. al, 2017) have found that “elevated levels of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) were associated with a higher likelihood of thinking about suicide and/or having a history of suicide attempts.”

At Join-Up International, the equine-assisted programs for Veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress have been changing, and saving, lives since 2010.

In May 2020, results from a four-year scientific study into the effectiveness of our Horse Sense & Healing program (for Veterans and first responders) found that it, “showed more effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms 85 days post-workshop than pharmacological interventions (when measured with the same quality of life scores)”.

This is reflected in the many stories received from participants of the programs:

While great strides have been made in serving the Veteran and first responder community, there is still a lot to accomplish. Support is needed to continue to increase the number of Veterans and first responders served each year.Plans have been laid to increase program numbers from 55-60 to over 160 Veterans and first responders served each year. This goal will be achieved by increasing the number of annual programs from six to 16+ in 2023.

Scientifically-backed cause:

» A tax-deductible donation of $4,750 will fund 50% of the costs of one of our life-changing equine-assisted programs for 10 to 12 Veterans and/or first responders, and their supporters.

» A tax-deductible donation of $950 will fund the costs for one Veteran or first responder, and their supporter.

» A tax-deductible donation of $475 will fund 50% of the costs for one Veteran or first responder, and their supporter.

» A tax-deductible donation of $200 will fund 50% of the costs of our volunteer stipends, or 100% of our program administration costs.

All donations, no matter how big or small, go directly to supporting our vital equine-assisted Veteran and first responder programs.

Sponsor a Therapy Horse

As Monty likes to say, “the horses are the therapists” in these programs. It takes a special horse to have the patience, temperament and willingness to connect with a wide range of different people of all levels of ability, backgrounds and personal struggles, on an ongoing basis.

“We call these horses GEMs: Generous, Empathetic, Motivational, says Simon d’Unienville, Executive Director of the programs, “The GEMs in our Join-Up International programs are mostly off-the-track Thoroughbreds that help our program participants work through a series of trust-building exercises to help them overcome trauma, improve relationships, have better self-regulation and emotional intelligence, regain confidence and be more willing to open up and ask for help.”