Helping Heroes Take the Reins
Sometimes our heroes are the ones who suffer the most. We help them take the reins back.
Those who work in high-stress careers, including military veterans and active-duty personnel, first responders and frontline health workers, as well as their loved ones, oftentimes find themselves experiencing depression, anxiety, job burnout, Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), and an increased chance of developing chronic mental health issues.
At Guiding Reins, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, we provide Mental Health Equine-Assisted Wellness programs specifically designed to help veterans and first responders, and their families, learn how to cope with some of the burdens they’re carrying. As a nonprofit, we’re able to provide our programs at no charge to our participants, thanks to generous donations and partnerships. We hope to continue to serve as many veterans, first responders, and their families, who need support and care in dealing with emotional and mental health issues as a result of trauma and high-stress work.
Because horses are such incredibly intuitive animals, they’re adept at tuning into human emotions, and developing a relationship with their people. Our Mental Health Equine-Assisted Wellness programs are effective in helping those struggling with emotional distress and help open up new pathways for healing. We offer a variety of small-group session options, from a 12-week or 8-week program, to full-day and half-day options for veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, frontline health workers and their immediate family. One-on-one sessions are available, as needed.
All of our programs are “unmounted,” meaning no horseback riding is involved. Each participant will learn valuable horsemanship skills, which in turn serves to build trust, understanding, communication and healing. One makes much more of a connection with a horse on the ground than they do in the saddle.
Who would benefit from Guiding Reins’ Mental Health Equine Assisted Wellness programs:
- Veterans
- Active-duty personnel
- Law enforcement
- Firefighters
- EMTs, Nurses, Medical Personnel
- Frontline health workers in high-stress environments
- Teams/Large groups from government, education and other professions
Our Impact
Veterans: To date, over 125 Veteran participants have been served by Guiding Reins. Services are supported through grant funding, sponsorships and donations. The majority were 22-66 years of age of which 40 % were female and 60% male. Of the total served 100% had some form of disability. A total of 42 spouses & family members (100% female) of Veterans with severe disabilities are included in those served.. The self-reported ethnicity of participants was 95% Caucasian and 5% people of color. Participant disabilities to date have included bipolar 1 and 2, schizophrenia, anxiety & depression disorders, CPTSD, memory loss (severe), PTSD, MST, TBI, tinnitus and/or hearing loss and suicidal ideations.
Outreach & Referrals
Outreach and referrals via partner organizations and mental health providers including the Combined Arms Institute contracted by the VA, Greenville SC VA Clinic, The Greenville Vet Center, multiple addiction and counseling centers, Veteran-owned businesses, Upstate Warrior Solution and Community Based Outpatient Clinics in Spartanburg and Greenville, SC.
Contact Us
At Guiding Reins, we offer our services at safe and welcoming environments that reflect the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to our program to begin their own journey to wellness.
All sessions are accessible, offered at no charge and offered on a schedule that works for those served.
If you or someone you love would benefit from participating in one of our programs, please contact us to learn more. If you manage a team and are interested in learning about how our programs can boost morale, improve productivity and help deal with workplace-related stress, we can customize a program specifically for you.
Why We Work
CBS 60 Minutes
CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley recently highlighted the work of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and interviewed Senator Dole, EDF CEO Steve Schwab, and Senior Manager of the Fellows Program Liz Rotenberry and her family to bring awareness to the experiences of the millions of children living in the homes of injured veterans and their roles as caregivers. Click HERE to watch the story.
This episode contains sensitive content, including conversations around suicide and images of combat. Dial of text 988 or chat online for free and confidential support 24/7 for people in distress, crisis resources, and more for you or a loved one.
Other Resources
- https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/06/1217487323/psychologists-waitlist-demand-mental-health-care
- https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/employer-resources/provide-support
- Veteran Suicide Data and Reporting - Mental Health (va.gov)
Who We Are
Passionate Volunteers
Guiding Reins is guided by an active volunteer Board of Directors and Committees which are composed of retired veterans, business owners and professional facilitators, some of which have a disability. The organization’s activities are driven by a strategic plan which is implemented by its Executive Director and a contracted team of mental health and equine professionals.
Board of Directors
Kitty Bateman Kestler, President
Jon Allen, Vice-President
Renee Wormell, Secretary & Treasurer
Heidi Selbee, Director
Amy Rudisill, Director
Program Committee
Renee Wormell (Chair)
Kitty Bateman Kestler
Llyn Josef
Alicia Sama
Hanna Pooley
Diane Prewitt
Resource Development Committee
Heidi Selbee (Chair)
Jennifer Pooley
Nancy Holland
Diane Prewitt
Advisory Council
Stay tuned for this new addition to Guiding Reins in 2026!
Locations
Four Partner Stables
Four Partner Stables
Four Partner Stables
Conveniently Located
Four Partner Stables
Conveniently Located
Our Team
Diane Prewitt, Founder, Executive Director & Lead Facilitator
Diane, Lead Facilitator, is certified as an EAGALA Equine Specialist. She volunteered for 12 years with TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tryon) and served as a Board member for FETA (Foothills Equestrian Trail Association). In addition to her role as the Founder and Executive Director of Guiding Reins, she also serves as the vice-chair of the Polk County Health and Wellness Coalition and is certified in CPR/AED and Mental Health First Aid training.
Born and raised in South Carolina, Diane took her first riding lesson at Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island when she was seven years old, and the spell was cast.
She continued to work and show horses through her college years and was a member of the University of South Carolina Equestrian Team from 1984-1988. She then pursued a graduate degree and profession as a Paralegal, and started her own freelance business, Paralegal Resources, LLC.
Alicia Sama, Co-Facilitator
Alicia Sama, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor and Co-Facilitator, joined Guiding Reins in 2020. Driven by passion and an unmatched work ethic,
Alicia took a waning equestrian program in Mill Spring, NC, and grew it by noteworthy proportions in just a short time. Under her leadership, the equestrian center became a location for children and adults from all over the Carolinas to enjoy and experience the equine world. Alicia has made community outreach an important part of her passion for education by collaborating with the Pony Club of America, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of America to offer youngsters the opportunity to learn more about horses and the equestrian industry.
Alicia is CPR/AED certified and an integral leader in the fast-growing equine industry in this area and Guiding Reins is thrilled to have her on our team!
Renee Wormell, Co-Facilitator
Renée has been involved with Guiding Reins since it's inception in 2018. Having first served as advisor and sessions volunteer, she was elected to the board of directors in 2022 and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer, and chair of the Program Committee. She held CHA Instructor certification and is currently an OK Corral Series certified facilitator.
As a retired paralegal, Renée puts her legal experience, board governance, and writing skills to good use. Renée was a volunteer and member of the board of Up Reach Therapeutic Equestrian Center for several years before she retired.
Renée hails from New Hampshire, where she and husband, Bill raised two daughters and several Arabian foals. She and her husband became "snowbirds" in 2007 with the purchase of a small farm in Landrum. They were drawn to the Upstate as a place where they could enjoy their horses throughout the winter.
What an honor having Renee with us since day one!
Bobbie Shannon, Co-Facilitator
Bobbie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NC and a Licensed Professional Counselor in S.C. She completed her undergraduate work at Gardner Webb University and her graduate degree at Webster University, and has been practicing for over 30 years.
She began her career at Polk Mental Health working with at-risk youth, and soon added adults and families to her caseload. She spent nine years as the counselor for Steps to Hope, Polk County’s Domestic Violence Shelter, and worked exclusively with women’s issues, including but not limited to, domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, codependency, and self-esteem issues.
Having a lifelong passion for animals, Bobbie was trained in the Eagala Model of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy in 2009. She has provided this modality of healing to individuals, grief groups supported by Hospice of the Carolinas, and addiction groups for Pavillon Addiction Treatment Center. We are honored to have Bobbie as a part of the Guiding Reins team!
Debra Torrence, Resource Developer
Debra Torrence, Ed.M. joined Guiding Reins in 2022 as a Resource Developer to increase the organization's capacity to provide services, grow and sustain operations.
She has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit administration, university research and fund development and management. She has successfully secured dozens of grants for a host of community, research, education, arts, human services and local government entities.
Her Tryon-based business, Grants for Good, provides contracted fund development, grant management and marketing services
Brenna Koester, Program Assistant
Brenna joined the Guiding Reins team as Programs Assistant in the summer 2022, and quickly become an instrumental part of the team. In her role with Guiding Reins, she helps research grants, input program data, and assists in outreach efforts to program participants.
Brenna also brings an equestrian background to Guiding Reins, having participated throughout her youth and early adulthood as an eventer. Her love of horses continues today.
Brenna currently lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she also works as an administrative manager for a personal training business. We are grateful to have Brenna's passion and energy on the Guiding Reins team!
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