Help for Veterans: Suicide shouldn't be an option

.

We are producing a documentary, which will help veterans, called Horses and Heroes,  But we need your help to make it happen.    We are looking for veterans, who would be willing to go through the therapy and honestly share their experiences.  We also need your support finding introductions with companies who would benefit from  product placement sponsorship in Horses and Heroes, such as USAA, New Day USA, Mutual of Omaha, Ford, GM, etc. 


Please share the link to our new video and our website on your page as well as on your other social networking sites.  

To learn more about Horses and Heroes as well as how you can help please go to our website at http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-#!page3/cee5



I've just listed Horses and Heroes on Slated. 

Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm.  It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war.  Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts.  What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers.  It helps their bodies remember how it used to work.  It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts.


Please share our link and our information on your page and with your other social networking sites.  Together we can make a difference.

http://www.slated.com/films/44618/



 

Charity Hill Ranch

There has been scuttlebutt being spread about the Charity Hill Ranch in Rapids City. There have been individuals who have attacked the owner's character and ethics. What I have heard directly and indirectly has not been my experience.

A mutual connection made aware of Charity Hill Ranch when I told him about Horses and Heroes. He highly recommended Christine O'Connell and the Charity Hill Ranch. He introduced us and we started talking about using Charity Hill Ranch as the primary location for Horses and Heroes.

I found Chris to be an honest and straight forward person. Nearly immediately she told me of the conflict with the woman, who was to be her partner on a larger ranch closer to Traverse City. Chris said that once the new ranch was established, the partner set out to take control. Chris did not give me the details. I didn't need to know and she refused to speak badly of the other woman. She gave me the option of backing out and recommended several other ranches around the state. If Chris had been the person the other woman had claim, she would not have been as forth right, nor would she have given us the option out.

However, the woman's claims were further proven to be false when the international organization Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (P.A.T.H) gave the ranch their highest rating. P.A.T.H. individually visits, tests, and certifies each of their centers. If Charity Hill Ranch hadn't met the below standards, they would not have be Northern Michigan's only Accredited Premier Center.

P.A.T.H. Code of Conduct

1. The member respects the rights, dignity and well-being of all individuals (human and equine) and promotes well-being for all involved.

Guidelines:

1.1 The member shall promote a holistic awareness of body, mind and spirit in equine-assisted activities and therapies for all involved.

1.2 The member shall be responsive to, and mutually supportive of, the individuals served, including families, colleagues and associates.

1.3 The member shall respect the unique nature of each individual and shall be tolerant of, and responsive to, differences. The member shall not discriminate based on age, gender, race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, social or economic status, sexual orientation, health condition or disability.

1.4 The member shall follow equal employment opportunity practices in hiring, assigning, promoting, discharging and compensating staff.

1.5 The member shall maintain in professional confidence participant, volunteer and staff information, observations or evaluations and shall adhere to all legal requirements.

1.6 The member, in community settings, shall use caution in forming dual or multiple relationships with participants or former participants where there is a risk of a conflict of interest. The member, in clinical treatment settings, shall avoid dual relationships when possible. In situations where dual relationships are unavoidable, the member shall be responsible for setting clear, appropriate and sensitive boundaries.

1.7 The member will understand the sensitive nature of physical touch and use it with caution.

Principle 2

The member accepts responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment and professional competence.

Guidelines:

2.1 The member shall accurately represent his/her level of expertise, experience, education and actual practice and provide service only to those individuals he/she can competently serve.

2.2 The member shall engage in sound business, employment and administrative practices.

2.4 The member shall engage in continued personal growth, continuing relevant education and professional skill development.

2.5 The member shall recognize and take appropriate action to remedy personal problems and limitations that might cause harm to recipients of service, colleagues or others.

2.6 The member shall demonstrate objectivity and fairness by interacting with individuals in an impartial manner.

2.7 The member shall accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment when interacting with individuals and animals.

2.8 The member shall demonstrate openness to, and respect for, other colleagues and professionals.

Principle 3

The member shall respect the integrity and well-being of program equines and animals whether owned, leased or borrowed.

Guidelines:

3.1 The member shall recognize and respect the individual character, nature and physical attributes of each program equine.

3.2 The member shall encourage safe and respectful human and equine interactions, placing equines in activities suited to their temperament and physical ability.

3.3 The member shall support the highest standard of care, maintenance and selection for each program equine, understanding and responding to the equine's need for socialization, play, turnout, time off and retirement.

3.4 When equines are borrowed or leased, the same high standards of equine respect, care and maintenance apply.

3.5 The member shall cultivate a barn and practice environment that supports personal and professional development and is compliant with PATH Intl. standards.

Principle 4

The member shall be truthful and fair in representing him- or herself and other members or centers.

Guidelines:

4.1 The member shall be responsible for providing each participant with accurate information regarding programs, services, professional training and credentials, as well as possible benefits, outcomes, expected activities, risks and limitations of the service or program.

4.2 The member shall meet commitments to participants, colleagues, equines, agencies, the equine-assisted activities and therapies community and the community at large.

4.3 The member shall use the PATH Intl. logo only in accordance with the PATH Intl. brand policy.

Principle 5

The member shall seek to expand his/her knowledge base related to the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies.

Guidelines:

5.1 The member shall maintain a high level of professional competence by continued participation in educational activities that enhance basic knowledge and provide new knowledge.

5.2 The member shall support the sharing and dissemination of information, the provision of training and conducting of research for the benefit of the profession.

5.3 The member shall demonstrate commitment to quality assurance. The member in clinical treatment settings shall engage in providing and receiving individual or peer supervision and/or staffing consultation on a regular basis.

Principle 6

The member shall honor all financial commitments to participants, personnel, vendors, donors, PATH Intl. and others.

Guidelines:

6.1 The member shall negotiate and clarify the fee structure and payment policy prior to the initiation of service and charge in a responsible and reasonable manner.

6.2 The member shall not misrepresent in any fashion services rendered or products dispensed.

6.3 The member shall be truthful and fair in representing him- or herself in fundraising activities.

6.4 The member shall honor all debt obligations.

6.5 The member shall maintain membership in PATH Intl. and pay the appropriate fee as determined by the Board of Trustees. Instructors shall remain in good standing with the annual compliance process for instructors

Principle 7

The member shall abide by PATH Intl. Standards and Guidelines and all state, local and federal laws.

Principle 8

The member supports PATH Intl. in its efforts to protect participants, equines, the public and the profession from unethical, incompetent or illegal practice.

Guidelines:

8.1 The member shall present this PATH Intl. Code of Ethics to all staff and personnel, outlining their collective obligation to support it and address any questions or concerns pertaining to it.

8.2 The member accepts the responsibility to discuss suspect unethical behavior directly with the parties involved and, if unresolved, to report unethical, incompetent or illegal acts to PATH Intl.

The second challenge to Charity Hill Ranch's reputation came from the man who introduced me to Chris O'Connell. The man sent me an email, stating that he had ended his relationship with the ranch. Of course, I wanted to know why and was told that she was demanding money from him. I called Chris. She explained that they had asked him to sign a boarding contract for his four horses. It would protect everyone, including him and his horses. The agreement also stated that he agreed to pay the boarding fees. He refused to sign and they asked him to move his horses. Asking him to pay for the food and shelter of his horses seemed like a logical and reasonable request. I told him to keep me out of it. Their disagrement had nothing to do with me or my project. When I refused to move Horses and Heroes from Charity Hill Ranch to the ranch he was now supporting, which just happened to be Traverse City Ranch that Chris helped create, he became abusive. He contacted our director, Larry Wilcox and told him that Charity Hill Ranch was being closed, because they were neglecting and abusing the horses. He was also very quick to point out here was another ranch available for the documentary. He also pitched his projects to Larry as alternatives to Horses and Heroes.

Shortly after, he filed abuse and neglect charges with the authorities. He made a point to tell me of his actions as if the accusation was proof of guilt. The next day Chris told me that the authorities had inspected the ranch that day and found his charges totally false. In their report, which is public record, they found the horses to be well cared for and the ranch well maintained. We were out there a week to ten days later to film footage for Horses and Heroes. Our footage proves that all the horses, including his, were well cared for. Although horses can lose weight rapidly, it takes much longer for them to gain weight.

He continued to harass me by email and telephone continued until I blocked him on Facebook and threatened to take legal action.

It took him months and a court order for him to move his horses. Common sense states that if he truly thought they were at risk, he would have immediately moved them. But he did not.

I am writing this posting because these events continue to affect both the Charity Hill Ranch and our documentary, Horses and Heroes. The ranch has lost sponsors and donations that the ranch it needs keep their programs affordable. Investors have shied away from Horses and Heroes, because of the location. I am asking that before you accept the message as truth that you look at the messenger and their motives. Ask yourself: Would an internationally known and respected organization that has been around since 1969 risk their reputation for one small ranch? Wouldn't he have immediately removed his horses if they were in danger?

I'm asking those who read this to help both Charity Hill Ranch and our documentary Horses and Heroes. Please don't let these two self serving people hurt those who are trying to help.

Horses and Heroes is not about pointing fingers or creating a political firestorm. It is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war. Equine Therapy does not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts. What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers. It helps their bodies remember how it used to work. It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts. Horses and Heroes will give veterans and military personnel the information they need to find alternative healing solutions, which can help prevent another Fort Hood.

To learn more about Horses and Heroes please visit our website

How to help Veterans cope with PTSD

People have asked me what we need for Horses and Heroes. What they are really asking is how would helping us benefit them. The answer is very simple. We are offering excellent opportunities to embed products/services in a family friendly documentary and the possibility to make a profit.

Horses and Heroes is a documentary, which will help military personnel and veterans find a new way to cope with the physical and emotional challenges brought into their lives by war. Equine Therapy doesn't not involve drugs nor lying on a couch and spilling their guts. What it does do is help them find new ways to see and react to their emotional triggers. It helps their bodies remember how it used to work. It can't replace what was lost, but it can give them the confidence to see that they are more than the sum of their body parts.

Although any company who actively supports veterans would make excellent sponsors, we are offering companies like USAA and New Day USA their specific target audience.  Anheuser-Busch, Verizon, ManTech, CSX, and Union Pacific would also greatly benefit from supporting Horses and Heroes. But we are very innovative with our placement and will be able to find ways to promote any family friendly product.

We are offering ten second acknowledging spots at the open and close of the show as well as three thirty second show bumpers at the half hour marks. Additionally, sponsors logos in the form of banners will appear in the background, much like at sporting events. If the sponsor has promotional material, such as jackets, hats, mugs, etc, we can arrange for them to receive positive placement within the documentary. We will also be thanking the sponsor in the credits and have an active link on our website to their site.

Horses and Heroes will be formatted for cable networks, such as the Military Channel, other Discovery networks, History Channel, AMC, and A & E. We also have a foreign television distributor interested in presenting Horses and Heroes to their European networks. However, we will also be sponsoring a very limited theatrical release, which will act as fundraisers for veterans’ organizations such as Wounded Warrior Project, Military Warriors Support Foundation, Coming Home Project, and Operation Second Chance etc. Documentaries and films, which are shown in theatres and in film festivals, receive better network leasing contracts as well as greater DVD/download sales. In addition, the expenses connected to fund raising events would be considered a donation to the non-profit group and thereby they will be tax deductible.

For one sponsor this package would cost approximately the same as one national ad, but they would also be considered an investor and thereby have the opportunity to make a profit. We have done the paperwork to grandfather in Horses and Heroes into Section 181 of the Job Act, which gives investors a K-1 federal tax deduction.

To learn more about Horses and Heroes as well as our team visit our website at http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-

 If you would like to know more contact Theresa Chaze at 231-943-3298.

Charity Hill Ranch: Equine Therapy For Veterans

 

Until You Walk The Path, You Won’t Know Where it Goes is hosting Program Director and Therapeutic Horsemanship Instructor, Christine O"Connell on December 5, 2013 at 1 pm eastern. We will be talking about how Charity Hill's Equine Therapy program helps veterans cope with the physical and emotional challenges of war. Charity Hill Ranch will be the site of the upcoming documentary, Horses and Heroes.

Christine is the CEO of Mid-Michigan Equestrian Center, dba Charity Hill Ranch. She moved the ten-year-old Mid-Michigan Equestrian Center from down state to the Rapid City, Michigan location in 2010. Christine comes with the unique perspective of having a child who sustained a severe closed head injury at a very young age and started the therapeutic riding center for her daughter’s benefit and others. To accomplish this, she became a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NAHRA), now known as Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Charity Hill Ranch is a PATH Premier Accredited Center.

Christine studied Business Administration at Baker College and received special training while employed at Peckham Industries, a training and employment facility for the physically, mentally and emotionally impaired. She was a Clinton County 4-H Horse Program Leader for six years and Coached the MIHA St. Johns Middle School Equestrian Team and the MIHA Kalkaska Home School Equestrian Team. She is also a member of the Michigan Trail Riders Association and Home School Legal Defense Association. 

Christine O'Connell is a PATH International Certified Instructor of 10 Years, and specializes in Traumaic Brain Injury as well as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Together with Sarah Wilson, who is a Mental Health Specialist with Degree in Psychology and Education, they provide programs and services where “Love in Action” enables individual growth and achievement for people who have physical and emotional trauma. 

 

Charity Hill Ranch is a proud Member of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. It is also e a member of Horses for Heroes Inc. Based in Las Vegas and founded in 2006, their mission is to make horseback riding affordable for, and accessible to militay personnel, veterans, First Responders, and their families. Mid-Michigan Equestrian Center, Inc, which is located at Charity Hill Ranch, is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation which believes that riding and caring for horses profoundly affects the lives of people with disabilities and enables them to live a more fulfilling and complete life.

Horses and Heroes combines the concepts a talk show with that of a documentary. It will utilize both interviews and practical demonstrations of horse therapy to give the audience a full understanding of how and why working with the horses help veterans heal. It will combine the spontaneity of a talk show with the informational aspects of a documentary. It will create a greater awareness of Animal Assisted Therapy for civilians, military personnel, veterans, and their families. The goal is to create an understanding of how and why the therapy works, thereby giving those suffering from PTSD another therapeutic option.

Charity Hill Website

http://www.charityhillranch.org/

https://www.facebook.com/charityhillranch

Tune into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze on December 5, 2013 at 1 pm eastern to to learn more about Equine Therapy and how it offers an alternative healing to those who have experienced physical and emotional trauma. The phone lines and chat will be available for those who wish to ask questions. The phone number is (347) 838-9927.



The interview will be available in the archives at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theresachaze/2013/12/05/until-you-walk-the-path-you-wont-know-where-it

Horses and Heroes

By

Theresa Chaze

The planes and ships brought me back, but my soul was left behind.

No words could cure.

No arms could comfort.

No loved one could help me heal.

Who I was had splintered away.

I was a memory almost forgotten.

I walked from hell looking home, but I couldn't find the way.

No way back.

No way forward.

I was lost in the land of despair.

They wanted me to be who I was.

That person didn't live anymore

Across the field not far away, stood one who saw my wounds.

She did not speak.

She needed no words.

Yet she comforted my wounded soul.

She helped me see past the fear and the pain.

I found the path that led me home.

https://www.facebook.com/Horsesandheroes


" Instant Karma is going to get you."
                                       John Lennon
Have you ever met someone and suddenly  felt love or hate? Yet for the life of you couldn't remember  them.  Would you want to  remember? Would you want to know if it could save  your life?

Never Can Say Good-bye is a paranormal thriller  feature film with the  logline love and hate survives death

http://cproduction5.wix.com/cosmos-productions-Please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Nevercansaygoodbyeparanormalfilm/info Courage isn't the lack of fear, but the ability to set it aside and  focus on what is truly important

Documentary of Equine Therapy for Veterans

Horses and Heroes

By

Theresa Chaze

The planes and ships brought me back, but my soul was left behind.

No words could cure.

No arms could comfort.

No loved one could help me heal.

Who I was had splintered away.

I was a memory almost forgotten.

I walked from hell looking home, but I couldn't find the way.

No way back.

No way forward.

I was lost in the land of despair.

They wanted me to be who I was.

That person didn't live anymore

Across the field not far away, stood one who saw my wounds.

She did not speak.

She needed no words.

Yet she comforted my wounded soul.

She helped me see past the fear and the pain.

I found the path that led me home.

It has been known by many names. During the Civil War, it was called “Soldier's Heart”. During World War II they called it "Shell Shock". It has also been called "Combat Fatigue". The current label is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PSTD.

In the past, it was down played. Sufferers were told to man up. They were medicated, but instead of healing the medication turned them into zombies. Many have tried Talk Therapy. Results were limited Most military personnel thought that only one who had lived through the experience could possibly understand the emotional and physically toil of war. Buddy therapy is an effective, but it is also limited by the number of veterans available.

Animal Assisted Therapy has been extremely effective for those who are physical and emotional challenged. It has become more widely used in cases of PTSD, especially in cases of veterans. Although almost any animal can be a healer, dogs and horses are the ones most commonly partnered with veterans. Dogs have the advantage of being accepted in both cities and rural areas. However, horses are known to better reflect the mood of the person handling them. This ability is helpful for the PSTD patient to learn how to recognize their own feelings. In this way, they learn how to retrain their mind and body reacts to stressers.

A semi-scripted documentary Horses and Heroes has hired a personable host, who has a diverse military background as well as experience working with horses. She will be chatting with the staff of Charity Hills Ranch and with some of the veterans as they share their personal stories.

The Host:

Barbara (Bobby) Kilgore enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1980. Serving 6 years she received her Honorable discharge in 1985. She attended Brevard Community College graduating in 1989 with her Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. She attended the University of Central Florida graduating in 1991 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Golden Key Honor Society

Bobby Kilgore enlisted in the United States Army in 1995. Her assignments include Appropriated

Funds Clerk Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Battalion Chaplain Assistant 1/6 Calvary Camp

Eagle, Korea, Chapel Non Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and Non Appropriated Funds

Clerk Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York, Chapel NCOIC Argonne Hills Chapel Fort Meade

Maryland, Chapel NCOIC Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Brigade Chaplain Assistant NCOIC, 10th

Combat Aviation Brigade Fort Drum New York, and is Battalion Chaplain Assistant 63D OD

Battalion (EOD) Fort Drum New York. She has deployed in support of OEF VII and OIF VII.

SSG Kilgore’s Last assignment: 75th Field Artillery Brigade Chaplain Assistant NCOIC, and NCOIC.Main Post Chapel Fort Sill Oklahoma. Bobby Kilgore retired from the United States Army 31 October 2011

Her Awards include 5 Army Commendation Medals,4 Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal Bronze Device, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal C, Iraq Campaign Medal CS, Military outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the NATO Medal. Bobby Kilgore has been requested on numerous occasions by high ranking officers to be the narrator for Change of Command Ceremonies and Welcome Home Ceremonies’ for units returning from overseas. She has been a cantor for chapel services and has sung in the Bagram Afghanistan Chapel’s Barbershop choral. She played th e piano and organ for the 10th Mountain Division Chaplain’s Change of Stole Ceremony in 2009.

Charity Hill Ranch

Founded in 2001, Charity Hill Ranch specializes in Traumatic Brain injury and Rehabilitation utilizing all the assets a farm and horse have to offer. Christine O'Connell is a PATH International Certified Instructor of 10 Years, and specializes in TBI as well as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Sarah Wilson is a Mental Health Specialist with Degree in Psychology and Education. She offers Tutoring and program planning at the ranch.

The horses utilized in the programs on the ranch are mostly retired show horses with skills and training that surpass your average horse, and have hearts the size of Texas!

Mid-Michigan Equestrian Center, Inc, which is located at Charity Hill Ranch, is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation which believes that riding and caring for horses profoundly affects the lives of people with disabilities and enables them to live a more fulfilling and complete life. Their mission is to provide programs and services where “Love in Action” enables individual growth and achievement for people who have special needs, through an extraordinary partnership with horses and staff. Carefully trained and certified Instructors work with clients to take advantage of every healing minute at the Ranch. At-risk children develop healthy trust and relationships. Those with disabilities learn responsibility, develop communication skills and use this therapy as a way to create life-long passions.

Charity Hill Ranch is a proud Member of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. It is also e a member of Horses for Heroes Inc. Based in Las Vegas and founded in 2006, their mission is to make horseback riding affordable for, and accessible to, active duty servicemen and women, veterans, First Responders, and their families.

Horses and Heroes will create a greater awareness of Animal Assisted Therapy for civilians, military personnel, veterans, and their families. The goal is to create an understanding of how and why the therapy works, thereby giving those suffering from PTSD another therapeutic option.
In these challenging times, not everyone will be able to donate.  But there are still ways you will be able to help us make this amazing project a reality.  You can share our information with your friends, family, and on your social networking sites. If you know of someone who has the means to help us, please send them our campaign with your endorsement.   Every little bit helps.
 
We are not offering any perks for the donations. Offering perks would force us to raise the extra funds to pay for them.    We want to be able to use all the funds raised for development.  We are also asking that you go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/horses-and-heroes/x/94403  to donate what you can and share our information with your friends, family and on you social networking sites.