Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship Partner to Help Veterans

Aug. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship today announced the formation of a joint partnership that will create a new option for veterans.  The partnership will offer all of the services of both non-profits, thereby increasing the availability and option of therapies to clients. While DreamPower Horsemanship will continue to offer equine therapy to their own clients, they will also provide a therapist at all Operation Freedom Paws service dog classes. Operation Freedom Paws will begin offering training for miniature horses, the only other ADA-approved service animal. The joint venture plans to introduce the new services portfolio in fall, 2014.

Both Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship have been recognized nationally for the services they offer veterans and others with disabilities.  In 2011 DreamPower Horsemanship founder Martha McNiel was selected as the PATH International Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Professional of the Year. In 2012 OFP Founder Mary Cortani was selected as a CNN Top 10 Hero.

“DreamPower Horsemanship and Operation Freedom Paws are very close, not only in the location of services, but also in goals, spirit and intent.  The goal of each organization is to improve the lives of veterans, their families, and others with disabilities or special needs in the community. We both recognize the unique contributions animals can bring to the healing process and to life, whether it is a dog or a horse. Working together with Operation Freedom Paws has brought new friends, new ideas, new opportunities, a lot of fun and added resources to DreamPower. We are grateful to share a partnership with OFP!” said Martha McNiel, founder of DreamPower Horsemanship.

This joint venture between Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship will offer a combination of service animals and therapy, providing a single platform to assist veterans and other disabled adults and children.

About Operation Freedom Paws
Founded in January 2010, Operation Freedom Paws is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pairs dogs with individuals who have Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Complex-Post Traumatic Stress (CPTS) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) symptoms, or other physical, neurological, psychological or mobility needs. Under the guidance of qualified instructors, clients learn to teach their dogs both obedience and specific service tasks to help with their disability. After approximately 48 weeks of increasingly-challenging training, the pair is ready to be tested and certified together as a service dog team. This unique program leverages the ability of the canine-human bond to help clients regain their sense of purpose, worth and value to society and their community. Find out more at: OperationFreedomPaws.org

About DreamPower Horsemanship
Founded in 2002, DreamPower Foundation, Inc. (DBA DreamPower Horsemanship) is a 501(c)3 non-profit building lives filled with dreams, and the power to make dreams come true. In 2013, DreamPower Horsemanship provided therapeutic services to more than 450 individuals ages 3-85.  More than 450 volunteers donated their time and energy at DreamPower in 2013.

Working with horses provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in therapeutic activities outside of a traditional therapeutic environment. Seeing how a horse responds to body movements and tone of voice can help reinforce the power of calm, assertive behavior over a tendency toward aggressive or anxious engagements.  And of course it opens the heart when a person of any age or ability begins to feel the mutual respect that occurs when a horse and person come to know, trust and communicate with each other, whether in the saddle or on the ground. Learn more at: dreampowerhorsemanship.com

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "goals," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking.  The forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding the joint venture, its products and services, and the timing of its launch.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual performance may vary materially from the performance expressed or implied in such statements.  These forward-looking statements reflect Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship’s expectations as of the date of this release. Operation Freedom Paws and DreamPower Horsemanship undertake no obligation to update the information provided herein.