Heroes Horses and Hounds

The Canine Assisted Therapy program, “Paws for Joy,” is taught one-on-one. It involves working with a trainer, Colleen Campbell, using either the client’s own dog or one of the business’s dogs, followed by processing time with a therapist, Cris Carl. This program focuses on helping individuals move past grief and trauma to rediscover joy and personal empowerment.

The “Train Your Own Service Dog” program is a hybrid model that includes a virtual classroom, in-person training, and Paws for Joy canine assisted therapy sessions. This program covers everything from evaluating potential puppies to public access training and specific tasks, while also focusing on processing trauma and building a strong connection with the canine partner.

Pricing Summary

Canine Assisted Therapy sessions are approximately 1 hour long and cost $150 per session. Pricing for the professional certification program is also detailed, with individual pillars costing $6,500 each, and a total package for foundation, four pillars, and one cornerstone session priced at $25,000.

Heroes, Horses and Hounds is a unique organization dedicated to saving lives by working with rescued horses and dogs. These animals are retrained for service and animal-assisted programs designed to help people rediscover joy and power. They specialize in assisting individuals dealing with PTSD, trauma, grief, and depression.

They offer Canine Assisted Therapy, known as “Paws for Joy,” where dogs serve as teachers to help students understand emotions, body language, and improve communication through positive reinforcement methods. Additionally, they provide a “Train our Own Service Dog” hybrid program.

The business is led by Colleen Campbell, a certified trainer, and Cris Carl, a licensed therapist. Their approach combines animal interaction with therapeutic processing to facilitate healing and personal empowerment.

Accomplishments

Colleen Campbell, the founder and trainer, has over 30 years of experience working with horses and dogs. She completed an internship at the UVM horse farm and holds an Associate’s degree in Equine Studies from the University of Massachusetts. Colleen is a certified trainer with the IAABC (IAABC-CDT) and was mentored in natural horsemanship methods by Joe Delano and positive dog training methods by Christina Williamson. She continuously seeks to improve her skills through workshops and seminars.

Cris Carl is a clinical licensed drug and alcohol counselor with over 40 years of experience, specializing in trauma and grief. She has received training from numerous experts in the field of trauma, including Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk. Cris is also a certified yoga teacher, herbalist, and bodywork therapist.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Canine Assisted Therapy, clients can book a session directly. For the “Train Your Own Service Dog” program, interested individuals can join a waiting list or call for an appointment to learn more. General inquiries can be made via email or phone.